Recognised Seasonal Employer

Samoa

Arrangements for a New Zealand employer who holds Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) status and an Agreement to Recruit

Key Contact in Samoa

Auseugaefa Vaasatia Poloma Komiti
Chief Executive Officer Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
P O Box L1861
Apia
SAMOA
Tel: 00685 20136
Fax: 00685 21339
Email: mamtvpk@ipasifika.net

Key Contact in New Zealand

Va'atu'itu'i Apete Meredith
Consul [Commercial] & Trade Commissioner
Consulate General of Samoa
P.O. Box 68-147
Newton
AUCKLAND
Tel: (09) 3031012
Fax: (09) 3021168
Mobile: 021 972662
Email: msamoa@tradeconsulate.co.nz

General Information

Geography: Two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior

Capital: Apia

Population: 176,908 (July 2006 est.)

Languages: Samoan, English

Economy: Has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labour force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra.

What assistance does Samoa provide?

Recruitment

There are two recruitment options RSEs can choose from:

Option A

Samoa has a work ready pool of Samoan citizens that RSEs can select from. The Ministry would prefer RSEs recruit from the pool.

The work ready pool has been established based on Expressions of Interest from Samoan citizens who have passed a pre-selection and screening process facilitated by the MinistryRSEs are encouraged to contact the Ministry with a list of their requirements.

The Ministry will present a list of suitable candidates for RSEs to travel to interview or to make recruitment decisions. The Ministry can make arrangements for candidates to be interviewed.

Once the selection has been made, RSEs will need to provide signed employment agreements to confirm the job offer.

Option B

If RSEs engage an agent or someone locally, they must inform the key contact of who that person is and who is recruited.

 Work Visa Application & Processing

Once an individual receives an offer of employment from the RSE and obtains other immigration documentation, they can then submit a work visa to work for an RSE application form to Immigration New Zealand in Samoa. At the time of submission, the application (form, fee and photo) must be fully completed attached with all documentation requirements (i.e. Employment Agreement, Medical and Chest X-Ray Certificate).

Pre-Departure Orientation

Individuals selected from the work ready pool will attend a seminar before their departure to New Zealand covering matters such as climate, clothing and footwear requirements, taxation, insurance (particularly health insurance), health and wellbeing, accident compensation, banking and remitting, budget advice and travel arrangements. These seminars will be delivered by the Ministry in Samoa with input from Immigration New Zealand. Workers will receive a pre-departure booklet to assist them while in New Zealand.

Pastoral Care

RSEs are responsible for the pastoral care of workers as set out in the RSE Work Policy. Samoan workers will benefit from the full protection of New Zealand employment and workplace legislation, in particular legislation concerning healthy and safe conditions of work. Should any concerns arise during the term of employment, RSEs and workers can approach Department of Labour staff as well as key contacts where workers were recruited through the work ready pool.

Compliance

The Ministry will emphasis to workers at the pre-departure seminar the importance of compliance and the public consequences of any overstaying, displaying a good work ethic and protecting Samoa’s reputation as a source of seasonal labour. Similar to pastoral care, RSEs are responsible for ensuring that workers comply with immigration requirements and return home before the expiry of their permit.