Focus on scheme

THE Prime Minister of Samoa has confirmed her government is looking at halting the open recruitment process for RSE workers.

In her address to horticulture industry leaders in Hawke’s Bay on Thursday, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa made it clear that Samoa’s government wants to strengthen the RSE scheme, not stop it.

She said this was why there was a review into the recruitment process.

Having arrangements with villages or organisations may be the way to go, Ms Fiame said.

“When groups travel and they come from the same village there is a greater level of success because there are built-in controls and support systems,” Ms Fiame said.

Ms Fiame said that was just an example of how the government is looking at how to, “improve engagement on both sides”.

She also highlighted concerns around labour mobility at the function.

Mr Apple labour manager Alistair Jamieson was there, he said he would support the changes if they went ahead.

His team, along with many other orchards have had the likes of teachers, police and even medical professionals from Samoa participating in the RSE scheme.

Mr Jamieson said the RSE scheme was always supposed to be focused on participants from Samoa’s rural sector, not workers trained in other professions.

“We are not in the game of taking away their highly skilled people. We believe the economy of Samoa needs these people back in Samoa and we don’t want to be seen as cutting across that,” he said.

Ms Fiame said arrangements with villages or organisations could be the way to go.