Efforts are underway to extend seasonal work for Samoans in New Zealand's tourism and fisheries industries.
Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
A memorandum of understanding has been signed in Apia between the Samoan government and villages involved in New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
The CEO of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Shem Agafili said the project would start before the end of the year.
At present 1,600 Samoans are employed in the scheme, mainly picking fruit and a few workers are in the construction industry.
Agafili said villages played a prominent role in disciplining RSE workers and he says to be effective there must be a sense of ownership and responsibility.
He said more work opportunities were expected from New Zealand and Australia and Samoa is committed to repaying their generosity by ensuring that workers keep their part of the agreement.
He said the seasonal employment programme had more than improved the quality of life for hundreds of families and boosted the country's income.