Don’t Be Duped By Job Offers Overseas That Exploit You
Fijians, who are looking for work in small neighbouring island nations in the region like Samoa, beware. You could end up like Fijian domestic workers Salaseini Serukeitoga and Tuipolotu Talatoka.
They claimed they worked like slaves in Samoa.
The promise of “jobs in paradise” later turned to “hell in paradise”.
To avoid similar bad experience, here are some tips:
• Do not go unless you have signed a contract.
• The contract must detail your job description, pay and where you will work, your starting date and who you report to.
• Before you sign on the dotted line get to know the country you are travelling to. You can access information through books or internet. • Learn about the people, the local culture and language, food, recreation. • Get to know the industry you will work in to avoid surprises.
• Try to talk to people you know have been to that country and get their independent assessment.
• Talk to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic mission of the country you are going to, if it exists here
• Ask for things to watch out for • This should be part of the standard preparation manual.
• When you are well prepared, it will save money and time and avoid pain and suffering later.
Their plight was raised by a relative in a letter to the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.
“With grave concern, I am writing on behalf of my close relative of the two Fijian girls….,” he said.
“Ms Talatoka and Ms Serukeitoga, left Fiji in April and September last year, and have been in Samoa until today without any work permit. Both have left their work place and are staying with one Assemblies of God Church….”
“They are victims of being exploited and poorly paid and it is evident that they are more like slaves in that workplace. “With the support of some Fijians and the church, they have reported the matter to the immigration, the Samoan Labour and still nothing eventuate so far. “They are requesting the assistance of the Fiji Government to talk to the Samoa authorities to intervene into their case and help them come back to Fiji. Unfortunately, their former boss is holding on to one of the girl’s passport.
“Both girls are desperate to return to Fiji as soon as possible.
“They are also deeply affected by this traumatic experience in a place away from home and are in need of your assistance.” Diplomatic communication began which culminated in the women returning home. The women now learn that Fiji is way ahead of Samoa economically. They were unprepared and were caught by surprise when they arrived in Samoa.
Let that not happen to you if you are planning to take up an overseas job.