Martha Taumata Faavae
The ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus that has killed so many people around the world, has not stopped the Samoan sailors signing up for work overseas.
Five hundred (500) work offers for seafarers from Samoa to work on ships overseas are currently available.
Among those applying are sailors who returned to Samoa when the COVID-19 broke out in the countries which they were working.
There is no hold back from some of these sailors who are surprised at how quickly the jobs opened up on the ships.
They are surprised as the COVID-19 is still spreading in some of the countries in Europe where they worked.
Despite the spread of the virus there is confidence by some that they would be safe working overseas for they are already vaccinated.
Fa’atasimaali Aia Fa’aofo from the village of Gautavai in Savaii is one of them.
He is urged to return to work in Europe as Samoa is facing poor economic times because of the COVID-19 which has resulted in lock-downs in many countries including Samoa.
The 30 year old Fa’aofo who started working in 2010 on a container ship in Europe returned to Samoa in March this year when Samoa started to bring back Samoan sailors working overseas.
Fa’aofo ensured that he took all the precautions while overseas so that he would not catch the virus arrived Covid free in Samoa.
His immediate reaction on his return to Samoa was the joy of being with his parents and families. But soon he realised that Samoa was hurting economically, that there were many people out of work. Also some were not receiving their usual wages as before.
The economic situation persuaded Fa’aofo to return to work and quickly handed in his application for one of the 500 jobs available for overseas contracts.
“ I was overjoyed when I heard that 500 jobs are available,” Fa’aofo told Newsline.
“ I have filled in my application and I am confident I will get a job.”
His parents have reluctantly given Fa’aofo their blessings, worried that the virus is still spreading.
“ I know they do not want me to go but I have reassured them that I will be safe. So they have said that if I feel it is safe then I should go.”
Another seafarer looking forward to returning to work overseas is 21 year old Tanuu Lauina from Faga and Samauga Savaii.
He worked on a cruise ship and he arrived in Samoa on the 22 January this year.
With the poor economic times in Samoa Lauina is encouraged to return to work. “ There is no point in sitting around in Samoa for a long time because the country is suffering economically. I really want to go and work,” he told Newsline. “ Also I had enough time to rest and I am ready to work.”
Lauina said he was glad that he had come for he had seen that Samoa is no longer the same as before economically.
He added that his parents are happy with his decision to return to work.
