Minister of Public Enterprises Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo has proposed to Cabinet to suspend the sending of seasonal workers to Australia until they address the claims of alleged slavery of samoans workers.
The Minster told ET Live on Wednesday night there are four scheduled flights for seasonal workers scheduled to fly to Australia for this month and March and they are trying to find an amicable solution given the amount of work put into play to get the flights for the seasonal workers.
He said they have uncovered a number of issues whereas some contracts were signed at the airport and workers had not time to read and understand the contracts.
Internal investigation has confirmed there is a clause in the contract called the piece agreement whereas the salary is based on the number of fruits that’s picked daily by the worker.
Furthermore, it's apparent that despite the signed contract, Australia has a law that allows for the companies to make the changes to the salaries which the Samoa Government has no knowledge of.
He said dedications on the pay slips he’s seen first hand is quite shocking.
The conditions of seasonal workers in Australia from the Pacific, including Samoa has drawn the attention of a Parliamentary inquiry in Australia.
An inquiry into the seasonal working scheme led two Samoans to testify last week and noted that they were afforded the opportunity to participate in Australia's Seasonal Worker Programme to support his family in Samoa, but that was not the case.
The men says they shared a small room and bathroom with others and shared a kitchen with 60 others, with no fans or air conditioning.
On Tuesday, the Minister demanded a report from the Seasonal Worker’s Division over the claims.
In an interview with Radio Polynesia, Leatinuu said the Government does not tolerate the exploitation of Samoa seasonal workers.
The Minister expressed disappointment after reading the news articles out of Australia.
Alex Muese was accompanied by Talipopo Kalolo during the Parliament hearing last week where the men spoke on the unsafe working conditions in Australia.
In a video clip of Talipopo’s testimony in Samoan, which was translated and circulating online indicated that he'd rather stay home given the unsafe conditions.
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Australia Senator for New South Wales Tony Sheldon has called on the Australian Government to take action when he testified before the Parliamentary committee on the evidence that employers are ripping off workers and treating people like slaves.
To date there are close to 2,000 samoans in New Zealand and Australia under the seasonal worker scheme.
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