26 Feb 2007

Huge response in Samoa to seasonal jobs offered in NZ

6:12 am on 26 February 2007

Over one hundred and fifty applications have been received by the Ministry of the prime minister and cabinet in Samoa for only 35 seasonal workers urgently needed for the Mr Apple Company in New Zealand.

The response from the public after three days of advertising according to the ministry's chief executive officer, Auseuga'efa Poloma Komiti, was overwhelming.

The process is being used by the government as a trial before the seasonal workers scheme starts in April.

Auseuga'efa says most of the applicants are those with steady jobs in the public service and the private sector as well as the unemployed.

He says the final selection will be known after screening all applications and interviews.

Mr Apple is the first New Zealand Company to have approached the Samoan government to seek seasonal workers under the AIP or "approved in principal programme " of the Labour Department.

The selected 35 applicants will be working for the company for eight weeks starting on March 10th