Editorial Opinion: RAINBOWS OVER PARADISE

1 November 2021

We've packed away our pink (cancer awareness) gear for another year and the green fun run (mental health) has well, been run. Before we break out our festive red, green and glitter gear for Christmas there is one more colourful event on the horizon.

This is of course the various parliamentary by-elections to be held at the end of the month. This will again be a battle between the blue and the red teams and will hopefully settle once and for all the quest for balance of power started way back in April.

Much has happened since the knife edge election was decided in favour of FAST. Apart from the by- elections (precipitated through challenges of bribery and treating) a number of other court cases remain outstanding. Ultimately these too have the potential to change the colour of parliamentary palette and this may or may not necessitate further by-elections.

The mood heading into this by-election cycle is more considered and wiser with hind sight of the general election. While both camps are optimistic, the arrogance of the general election has gone and the confidence of the then underdog, is paramount.

A new player weighing into current political dialogue is the Public Service Association (PSA). After many years of silent servitude its complacency and failure to lodge annual returns or even remain registered as a lawful entity, seem to have slipped by.

It has now taken up the mantle to defend those who it considers have been unfairly or wrongly dismissed.  Further it has made outright challenges to the authority and professionalism of the country's new leaders.

With a not-so-veiled threat of strikes, the PSA has warned the current government that if it does not get to meet with the Prime Minister,  it will take action.

Over 40 years ago the PSA initiated a strike by public servants and ultimately brought down the Tuiatua Tamasese lead government heralding the incoming HRPP to lead the country. Until 2021!

But of course times and circumstances were different. And so too is the relevance of another body claiming to represent the interests of Samoa's largest employer.

While contemporary Samoa is suffering continued decline in growth, it like the rest if the world, is dealing with the economic, trade, health and social impact if the Covid pandemic. This is a far cry from the local economic dire straights of the early 80's. Samoa has matured nationally and takes its place proudly on the international stage. 

Union groups such as the PSA need to get with the times. They need to show respect and professional courtesy before demanding the same from elected officials.

Change and reform are inevitable with the fresh colored government. The delivery of Government services need to be prioritized over bloated agencies. Government departments with up to 16 ACEOs each consuming up to 75% of their budget on salaries cannot be sustained nor justified.

With the forth coming by-elections there is light at the end of a dark economic tunnel. And hopefully brighter days ahead for us all.