Samoa is preparing for tough negotiations with New Zealand this week, signalling that commitments to PACER Plus agreements may be on hold if better labour mobility can't be settled.
Samoa is arguing that the regional seasonal employment scheme, or RSE, is just one aspect of labour mobility and an agreement on labour should include traineeships and working holiday programmes.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo says it's about overcoming barriers to trade.
"That's a bit the contentious issue from the New Zealand perspective, and Australia, because Australia is also part of PACER Plus. So those are the issues we are looking at resolving as soon as possible so that we could better access the markets here in New Zealand and Australia."
Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo.
New Zealand will host Samoan representatives in Auckland this week for the 6th PACER Plus Negotiating Round.