The predicaments faced by the seasonal workers in Australia, sent under the Samoa Government’s seasonal worker scheme is concerning and should be addressed said Manager of the Falealili Seasonal Workers Programme, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale.
In an interview with Radio Polynesia, Tuatagaloa said they have a little over 200 in New Zealand and Australia and their workers have “never” encountered what was being reported by Australian media, after two Samoans testified before a Parliamentary inquiry over the conditions of work in Australia.
The Government manages the seasonal workers scheme which is separate from the Falealili prorgamme.
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Tuatagaloa said their groups received their contracts ahead of time,so they can discuss one on one with their workers what to expect when they go overseas for work.
Regarding deductions, Tuatagaloa says some of it is unreasonable.
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This week Minister of Public Enterprises Leatinuu told ET Live a proposal to Cabinet to suspend the sending of seasonal workers to Australia until they address the claims of alleged slavery of samoans workers.
The Minster said 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 for these flights.
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.
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.
