By Staff Writer
GETTING SEASONAL WORK ROLLING : Former PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi leading from the front as seen in this file photo apple picking in one of the NZ Orchards where local seasonal workers were contracted.
Government must adopt new working policies to sort out the quick loss of workers in the private sector rather than stop the labour mobility drain for seasonal work in New Zealand and Australia.
The National University of Samoa economics lecturer, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele, raised the point in a recent analysis of the labour mobility issue by a panel of top state and private sector economists.
Seasonal Work has turned into a mixed blessing for Samoa with the depletion of the labour force too quickly, local businesses are starting to feel the workers drain already.
Skilled workers are getting caught up in the labour drain also it has threatened the Government to consider reaching out for the panic button.
“The movement of labour is a human rights and it is a violation of these rights if Government is to impose restrictions to prevent that,” Afualo made the point very clear while analysing the issue.
His main suggestion is for a review of Government management policies for effective options and lasting solutions.
“A reduction in income taxes for businesses is one example, to make it possible for the private sector to increase basic wage rates from around the current $3 an hour mark to at least $5,” Afualo suggested.
He noted that seasonal work contracts currently offers more than NZD or AUD $20 an hour which is much higher on the conversion rate when compared to what is being paid an hour here.
Afualo wants also to see new local businesses encouraged to take advantage of the booming tourism industry.
“I understand the average rate of spending for one tourist after holidaying for a week or two in Samoa is ST$3,000 and when you work that to the arrival rate, it is a lot of revenue circulating.”
Remittances have made a noticeable leap since the seasonal work started and when all is considered, the expert economic view is to encourage an environment for local business investments.
Afualo prefers to encourage people to take the risk and invest in their selected revenue earning ventures rather than be conservative and not take the risk.
The World Bank and more recently the Asian Development Bank year economic report noted a recovery in the Pacific Island economies including Samoa since the COVID Pandemic.