Three men from Samoa will be leaving next week for New Zealand to be employed as carpenters for construction companies under New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
From right PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Minister of Finance Sili Epa Tuioti, standing behind the first three carpenters from Samoa to work in Christchurch NZ. Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says eighty people applied under the new category but only twenty met the requirements and five have been selected.
The first three departing for Christchurch have been working in local construction and fulfilled another criteria of being able to speak and understand English.
Samoa RSE workers Photo: RNZI/Tipi Autagavaia Tipi
The prime minister warned that alcohol and homesickness are major problems for the workers to be wary of and he reminded the men there was zero tolerance under the scheme for alcohol abuse.
The prime minister says more construction companies in New Zealand will be recruiting workers this year.