25 Jan 2019

Samoa hopes to boost worker numbers on overseas schemes

9:32 am on 25 January 2019

Samoa is hoping to increase the number of its workers on seasonal employment schemes in New Zealand and Australia, despite tightened procedures.

Samoa RSE workers

Samoa RSE workers Photo: RNZI/Tipi Autagavaia Tipi

Newsline Samoa reported applicants must now produce a current police report.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, has urged village mayors to be more truthful in their reports on applicants from their villages.

Lautafi said his government continues to ask the New Zealand government to increase the number of Pacific Islanders on its seasonal worker programme.

He said Samoa has a quota of 1,500 workers but currently close to 2000 are on the seasonal programme.

He said more than 3000 people are on the seasonal work waiting list.