Government Finalizes Policies For Seasonal Work
Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio
Photo: Parliament of Samoa
The Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, has stated that the review of policies for the seasonal workers scheme in New Zealand and Australia is still ongoing and that the goal of doing so is to help ensure that Samoa's needs are established under the RSE Program as well as clear conditions for our people's employment when they travel for part-time work in those countries.
In order to strengthen the program's implementation and to benefit both Samoa and its partner nations, New Zealand and Australia, Deputy Prime Minister Tuala, stated he will hold discussions with them about new measures.
For the months of April and May, people are still leaving the nation to apply for these positions on the government's waiting lists.
There have also been changes in New Zealand; some of the Samoan seasonal employees who were unable to continue working because of Cyclone Gabrielle, which devastated the orchards, may still be hired by other businesses to complete their contracts on time in some areas of employment.
Additionally, it has been announced that in the beginning of the following month, they will have the option of choosing people to take part in part-time employment from each village. To do this, they must attend the District Constituent Assembly, where they will elect the individuals who will travel to New Zealand and Australia in accordance with the law to find part-time employment there. However, the government will continue to oversee the organization of these trips.
Since the new Business License Law was passed in December 2022, the renewal of business licenses has reached a satisfactory level, according to the Deputy P.M., who is also the Minister of the Department of Customs and Revenue.
The Ministry's records have been updated with more details on specific enterprises, the owners of those businesses, those who owe back taxes, and those who are required to pay taxes to the government.
According to Tuala, some store owners are also seeking for licenses to sell alcohol. As a result of the solid records of these enterprises in the Ministry, the Alcoholic Control Authority's job of evaluating applications has grown simpler.
Although ensuring integrity in the registration of those who own these businesses, the government wants to continue to grow the growth of business in Samoa because competitive demand between one business and another will lower the costs of goods for our people.
If business people have partners who are not Samoans, especially if they do not have permission to operate in Samoa and conduct the enterprises they are dealing with, the Deputy Prime Minister has asked for their respect and that of Samoa as a nation.
Thus, it is crucial to alert the Ministry if the business is impacted and our citizens are impacted in accordance with the law.
To safeguard Samoa's economy, its citizens, and its land for the future, the government gives priority to our citizens' companies.