Samoan RSE workers heading to Australia Photo: Supplied / Tipi Autagavaia
By Caleb Fotheringham
Samoa's temporary ban on participating in seasonal worker schemes has impacted many workers hoping to go overseas.
The country has put a temporary suspension on its people working in seasonal jobs in Australia and New Zealand until a review is presented to Cabinet.
Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, told Parliament last month New Zealand and Australia benefited more than the Samoan workers recruited under the schemes.
"We care for our people's well-being and how they are being exploited and not compensated well," Tuala said.
A regional seasonal employment scheme sub-committee has been appointed by Cabinet to review the programmes. The suspension will remain in place until a review is presented to Cabinet.
Recruiter organisation, Falealili Seasonal Workers Programme, has been running for 17 years and sends over 600 Samoan workers overseas each season.
Founder Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale said the suspension had not been easy.
"Our partners have said: '....if you guys are going to continue with these restrictions at no notice at all, we will cut Samoa off, we'll go to Vanuatu, we will go to Fiji, where there's an abundance of people who are ready to take our place'," Tuatagaloa said.
For the workers, he said it's been a "huge letdown" and "embarrassment".
"They're in small communities and the whole village knows they're preparing to go overseas, and there's a lot of excitement and anticipation. And then they're told they're not going - you can imagine the disappointment."
Tuatagaloa said it was "so unnecessary" for workers to be banned from travelling while the review was being conducted.
"We prepare, months in advance, we select and then we make placements."
The suspension has been put in place following concerns the country's labour workforce is being drained and reports of poor treatment of workers.
Tongan RSE workers in Motueka. Photo: Supplied/Charlotte Bedford
Australia's plans
New Zealand's Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo, said it was very encouraging the Samoan government put "equity, equality, and protection of its people at the centre of its response".
Saunoamaali'i said she hoped the response by the Samoan government serves as a reminder for New Zealand to take its responsibility seriously when it comes to upholding the dignity and human rights of RSE workers.
Australia is establishing a Pacific Engagement Visa that will provide permanent residency for up to 3000 people each year from across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio said there had been no communication with Samoa on the new visas.
"They will start by taking our workers for three years and I believe they will not return," Tuala said.
A spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said allocations between countries had not been decided on.
They said the allocation would be determined by consulting Pacific partners including Samoa.
"The Australian Government is committed to listening to the views of our Pacific family as we deliver the PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) scheme," the spokesperson said.
"We recognise that labour-sending countries like Samoa have to balance domestic considerations, including workforce requirements, with their participation in the scheme."
RNZ Pacific have reached out for comment from the Samoan government.