Samoa’s minister Clarifies Temporary Closure of Seasonal Workers Scheme

Apia: Samoa’s Minister responsible for the Seasonal Workers Scheme, Leatinu’u Wayne Sooialo, clarified in Parliament that the programme is only closed temporarily in order to review and identify ways to remedy the problems that have tarnished the program’s reputation.

Debating the Labour and Employment Relations Amendment Bill, several Opposition MPs expressed their concern in their belief that Government had closed the program completely and they highlighted the importance of the program in developing families and the country’s economy and urged the Government to reconsider their decision.

In response, Leatinu’u assured Parliament and the country that the program has not been closed completely and explained the rationale behind the Government’s decision.