By Staff Writer
The forlorn cry of ‘where’s the love’ summed up a wave of general public commiseration during the week at the termination of work contracts for several Government Chief Executive Officers.
The Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (MESC) CEO, Afamasaga Karoline Fuata’i, was first up when her extended contract was abruptly annulled effective immediately.
Her contract termination was surrounded in controversy.
Several more CEOs received similar treatment with Cabinet approved contract variation extensions that were terminated without warning.
Opposition MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi felt for the CEOs at how their services were discarded on the spot as if they were unworthy.
“ Where’s the love,” Lealailepule appealed.
“ Of course they have the right to reapply for their jobs but how would anyone feel when handed a letter of contract termination at the end of the day when they least expected it,” he complained.
Opposition deputy leader Lauofo Fonotoe Meti puzzled over why approve CEO contraction variations in the first place and then suddenly terminate them again.
The variations allow for the contract to be extended when it expires for the CEO to continue working until the contract is renewed or a new appointment is made.
“We all have obligations to our families, village, church and other community responsibilities, nobody wants to be suddenly cut off like that,” Lauofo contends
“I sympathise with the CEOs at being treated like that.”
Another disappointment both opposition spokesmen shared was the loss of trained workers in Samoa from the public service.
CEOs are seen as sons and daughters Samoa has invested in for higher levels of education and training the country needs for its development.
Their experience and skill levels will ensure they will have little problem finding better jobs outside the country, which is a loss to Samoa.
The termination of contract for CEO Afamasaga Dr. Karoline Fuata’i at MESC did not go down well with the opposition MPs.
Afamasaga bowed out graciously as Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, MESC, on Monday 21 February 2022.
The former CEO was accused of insubordination and asked to resign, over a MESC public notice to delay the re-start of schools for the younger students at primary classes.
The Minster of Agriculture La’auli Schmidt accused the CEO of disrespecting the Prime Minister’s announcement for schools to restart after the lifting of the COVID 19 State of Emergency restrictions.
Afamasaga, however, in a press conference felt the issue was to do with miscommunication over two separate Cabinet decisions circulated.
“The first announced the extension of the SOE restrictions to March so we went ahead and planned the re-start of schools accordingly,” Afamasaga explained.
There was, however, a second Cabinet decision for an early lifting of restrictions sent to all Ministries on a Public Service Commission circular.
Afamasaga learned of the Cabinet follow up directive too late to stop the MESC public notice that had gone out already to delay the opening of schools.
The Minister of Education was aware of the mix up and brushed off the resignation calls by the Minister of Agriculture as unimportant.
The Cabinet decision, however, came as a surprise to many who heard the dismissal reaction by the Minister of Education to the MAF Minister on the local media.
Afamasaga, however, was still gracious enough not to blame the Government for any unfair decision to end her contract unexpectedly.
She also remained respectful and diplomatic enough to take the blame for any lapses she and her staff may be responsible for.
The Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, placed the blame on the CEO and staff for putting out the notice without waiting for the Government directive.
The PM admitted that the termination of contract is nothing to be happy about but Cabinet decisions should be respected.
“Her contract was running out anyway,” Fiame declared in a press conference during the week as if to ease up any heavy emotional toll.
But MP Lealailepule slammed the uncertainties in Cabinet leadership for the controversial decision on the highly qualified Afamasaga, whose distinguished career in education spans more than 40 years.
He laid the full blame on the dominating influence of the Minister of Agriculture and also Chairman of the FAST political party, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt.
“He has no right to speak about the CEO mistake when he called on her to resign, the Minister of Education and the Prime Minister are the only ones who should speak on the matter,” he argued
The MP added that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education were undermined by the controlling influence of the MAF Minister.
“It was just a simple miscommunication mistake and the CEO apologised what more is she supposed to do?”
A long lineup of CEO contracts are now up for renewal and it depends on the recommendations by the interviewing panel of applicants for each job contract.
PM Fiame also confirmed the new Government policy to terminate CEO contracts immediately when it ends with no more variation extensions.
Election promises by the new Government party of cleaning out the service of CEOs and other senior executive officers are firing up speculations with this new policy.
Opposition MP Sulamanaia Fetaiai Tuivasa rejected any signaling out of CEOs supportive of the HRPP rather the priority should be on personal expertise and experience.
“Hopefully they will all return,” Sulamanaia wished the CEOs re-applying for contract renewals.
There were reminders also of CEO rights under their contracts as public interest goes on hold at how many of the CEOs will return.
It is unclear how many re-applied and when the final decision of Cabinet will be announced on each respective CEO contract.