ILO Director Introduced to Samoa’s Labour Minister

August 23, 2021

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The Director for the ILO Office for the Pacific Region Mr.
Matin Karimli had the opportunity to congratulate the new Minister for the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour, Honourable Faumuina Leatinuu Wayne Fong through a virtual meeting held last week.

Mr Karimli looks after 11 member countries of ILO in the Pacific including Samoa.

“Samoa is one of the exceptional member states, in terms of efficiency in operations and compliance with ILO conventions,” said Mr Karimli, “mainly because of the remarkable Tripartite Governance of Samoa’s National Tripartite Forum.

In this meeting Mr Karimli also acknowledged the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour, Afioga Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, and the support of the Ministry to uphold the tripartite governance structures in Samoa as required under ILO obligations.

Samoas Tripartite Forum is well supported at the country level through close working relations with the ILO National Coordinator, Mr Laufiso Tomasi Peni.

Mr Karimli used this meeting to inform the Minister of two important areas that need stronger commitment to continue the role of Samoa
under the International Labour Organization Office.

(a) Firstly to continue the support for Samoa’s role as the Co-chair of the International Advisory Body (IAB) on Climate Action for Job Initiatives (CA4JI) – (Globally). Samoa Co-chairs alongside the Honourable Minister of Labour from Spain.

(b) Secondly, to continue the support for Samoa as the Vice-Chair of the Blue Pacific Big Ocean states (BPBOSs) –
(for Pacific Island members).

Mr Karimli said that with these areas the ILO believes that Samoa will continue under the leadership of the new Minister and with close collaboration with ILO Office to ensure labour matters and programmes are continuously available for Samoa.