Amidst the global pandemic hitting economies hard, 250 Samoans were blessed with seasonal work opportunities in Australia, departing Samoa last week.
There are 200 male workers under the Australia’s Pacific Labour Mobility with three year contracts to work as meat processors, while the rest are short term positions that have been secured for women as fruit pickers, in time for Australia’s harvest of berries.
Australia’s new High Commissioner to Samoa, Her Excellency Emily Luck was at Faleolo airport to see off the seasonal workers. MCIL’s Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) for its Labour Export and Employment Division Lemalu Nele Leilua is the woman in charge of coordination.
Strict health and regulation covid-19 border security requirements needed to be sorted before departure and Samoa’s Ministry of Labour as lead coordinators of the initiative have assured safety precautions are in place for Samoan workers as Australia battles the new variant of the coronavirus.
The regional temporary workers scheme continues to fill the formal employment gap in Samoa and other Pacific economies, while assisting with Australia and New Zealand’s seasonal labour shortages.
A few weeks ago thousands flooded a call for registrations desperate to the enrolled for overseas placements. The doors of the EFKS youth hall at Mulinuu were damaged and the registrations called off that day. The Ministry have since changed the application and registration process to a form that can be downloaded online.
The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour coordinate seasonal work job opportunities in close partnership with Austarlia and New Zealand.
