Martha Taumata Faavae.
If the problem of marriage break up among seasonal workers continues it could lead to the possibility of hiring unmarried people only to work on the seasonal programme.
The Minister of Commerce Industry and Labour MCIL is pondering the possibilities when asked about infidelity among some of the seasonal workers.
Lautafi Selafi Purcell told Newsline in an interview that the number of people involved is small and the problem is not new. He added that if it continues there is a possibility that only the unmarried people would have the opportunity to go on the seasonal programme.
The Minister also said often the blame has been put on the government for causing the married people to leave their spouses and children behind when they find work on the seasonal programme.
He however said that is not necessarily true for it has been found that in some cases the marital problems started before the husband leave for seasonal work and they were trying to work things out. There are however others he added who were faithful while in Samoa but while overseas got into extramarital situation.
Lautafi said if it continues then there will a review of the programme in the near future in which the people with spouses will no longer be eligible to be on the programme and only the single people will go.
“ They have given the programme a bad name and government is given the blame for breaking up families,” Lautafi said.
“ I do not blame Australia if any changes are made. It is only a small number of people who are doing this but they are giving the whole scheme a bad name.”
“ Infidelity will result in a person being returned. Often spouses would come to find ways to bring them back. But returning them home is not something that happens immediately for there are processes and leaving work is not something easy to do .”
Lautafi advised that the couple should solve their own problems not depend on the Ministry and the prime minister for a solution.
He also advised the spouses at home to stay away from the social media for not everything on the social media is correct.
More than 4000 seasonal workers from Samoa are currently working in New Zealand and Australia.
Close to a thousand are in Australia with an additional 650 more.
Lautafi is grateful to Australia for opening more doors to seasonal workers from Samoa compared to 400 in the past.
“ Australia has really opened up more opportunities for our people. This is great news. Some of the companies are hiring are from us and if this is successful they would offer more for our people to come over.”
“ We did not think Samoa would get these opportunities in Australia.”
Lautafi offered that Australia is hiring from Samoa because we have the capacity and also we are COVID free.
He also believes New Zealand will also up its recruitment from Samoa as Australia is doing.
Samoa has a ready pool of close to 3000.
Many families have benefitted from the scheme not only materially but also have returned with new skills to start their own businesses. The scheme Lautafi said shows how well the present government has governed.