NZ SEASONAL WORKERS’ TO RETURN HOME
By: Asenati Taugasolo Semu
The 900 Seasonal Workers in New Zealand whose contracted have ended will be repatriated home depending on the availability of flights,
The announcement by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi via his 2AP live broadcast follows recent communication with the Government of New Zealand and as a result of the latest turn of events in New Zealand as a result of the COVID 19.
Explained the Prime Minister,
“Even though our workers were granted seasonal workers employment visa extensions until September, the pandemic lockdown forced the unexpected turn of events with New Zealand job seekers returning to their horticulture industry for employment.
“This lead to the loss of employment for some of our workers, and that’s why we should start bringing them back because they are unemployed and their working contracts have ended,”
“Government’s paramount concern is the safety and the health of our seasonal workers in New Zealand and also in Australia from the COVID 19.”
“We have started preparations for their return and they are mandated to have their COVID 19 prevention injections in New Zealand before coming home, to ensure they are COVD 19 free.”
Government is also monitoring the developments in Australia investigating possible options to repatriate Samoan residents and the 139 Samoan Seasonal Workers whose employment contract have ended.
