By Mataeliga Pio Sioa

 The Public Services International, PSI, has written to the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa in support of the Public Service Association. PSA, attempts for consultations with Government over ‘legitimate concerns’ in the service.

The letter is dated 24th September 2021 and is received ahead of a second PSA member national meeting called for this coming Saturday 2 October 2021, to follow up on earlier concerns in the service.

  Uncertainties and job securities in the service follows  the new Government actions that resulted in the termination of contracts for two CEOs and a series of resignations for several more.

Newsline Samoa has a copy of the letter and it reads :

 

 To: Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa 

 Prime Minister 

Independent State of Samoa 

Dear Honourable Fiame,  

Establishing a tripartite dialogue to consult with public sector trade unions  

First, let us congratulate your government on its electoral success. Public Services International  (PSI) is a global union federation that brings together more than 30 million workers, represented by  over 700 unions in 154 countries and territories, including the Samoa Public Service Association.  We are dedicated to promoting quality public services in every part of the world.  

We understand that the Samoa Public Service Association has sent letters seeking consultation with  your government and raising legitimate concerns regarding major changes in the employment and  management of public administration.  

Samoa, as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and having ratified all core  conventions and Convention 144 on Tripartite Consultation, has committed to advancing decent  work through social dialogue. The principle of social dialogue remains at the core of international  labour standards reiterated in the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization 

promoting social dialogue and tripartism (is) the most appropriate method for …  facilitating consensus building on relevant national and international policies that impact on  employment” 

We therefore urge your government to immediately convene a tripartite dialogue consisting of the  following parties: 

1. The Government  

2. The Public Service Association  

3. The Public Service Commission  

Our region is facing many challenges, exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and  confounded by the increasing shocks of climate change. Quality public services, staffed by trained  public employees, owned, and operated by the state are vital to confront these challenges. Social  dialogue is a key mechanism to ensure a robust and strong public service. The public service must  be free, frank, and fearless to serve the public and to action the policies of the government of the  day in the best way possible. Through the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal 16  Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, governments have recognised an independent, transparent,  and well- resourced public service is key to sustainable development.  

We look forward to hearing from you and would be happy to make a time discuss this important  matter further. 

 WWW.PUBLICSERVICES.INTERNATIONAL 

Public Services International is a Global Union Federation of more than 700 trade unions representing 30  million workers in 154 countries. We bring their voices to the UN, ILO, WHO and other regional and global  organisations. We defend trade union and workers’ rights and fight for universal access to quality public  services. 

PRESIDENT 

DAVE PRENTIS 

GENERAL SECRETARY ROSA PAVANELLI 

REGIONAL SECRETARY KATE LAPPIN 

Sincerely,  

Ms Erin Polaczuk  

Titular- Oceania, Public Services International  

National Secretary, New Zealand Public Service Association 

Mr Tom Reddington  

Sub-regional Secretary – Oceania, Public Services International WWW.PUBLICSERVICES.INTERNATIONAL 

SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE FOR OCEANIA PO Box 24233 Melbourne  

Victoria 3001 AUSTRALIA 

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