The Seasonal Employment Unit has been moved from the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) and will now come under the portfolio of the new Minister of Finance 

The programme – which deploys thousands of Samoans to work in New Zealand and Australia for temporary work for up to 3 years – was previously managed by the M.C.I.L. It was initially under the umbrella of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet (M.P.M.C.) when the Government adopted the program in 2006 and moved it to M.C.I.L. in 2017. 

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday afternoon, with the portfolio changes also including the moving of the Seasonal Employment Unit out of M.C.I.L.

The Seasonal Employment Unit was a division within the M.C.I.L. but according to Fiame, the Ministry will now be taken over by Leota Laki Sio and ministerial responsibility for the unit will also be changed. 

She added the seasonal employment scheme will be an added portfolio under the watch of the new Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai. 

It could not be confirmed if this means the Seasonal Employment Unit will become an added division for the Ministry of Finance or be a separate entity altogether.

The changes in the Cabinet Ministers' portfolios following the reshuffle will go into effect from 1 October 2023, the Prime Minister confirmed in her press conference.  

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo previously had responsibilities for both the MCIL and State-owned Enterprises from the beginning of the current parliamentary term. 

In a previous interview with Leatinuu, he did indicate possible plans to have the Seasonal Employment Unit removed from M.C.I.L. with other options being considered. 

He noted that a lot of queries from members of the public heading to M.C.I.L. was in regards to the employment scheme which was not a core function of the Ministry. 

The unit has been plagued by problems including agents recruiting locals without the knowledge of M.C.I.L. as well as workers flying out for employment without proper authorisation and allegations of Samoan seasonal workers' mistreatment while working abroad. 

In February this year, the Government resumed the scheme which was put on hold temporarily while it tried to address issues of labour drain and other concerns. 

In March this year, the Government said the village councils in collaboration with district councils will determine the selection of participants for seasonal work in partnership with M.C.I.L. 

The Government has been reviewing the terms and conditions for the new Samoa National Regional Seasonal Workers Program Policy but it remains unknown when the process will be completed.