A seasonal work program founder has expressed concerns the Samoa Government's new policy could have "limitations" that would impact their people's livelihoods.

The founder of the Falealili Seasonal Workers Program and high chief, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale, told the Samoa Observer in an interview on Monday that he fears the Government's recently announced seasonal worker policy could place limitations on Samoan citizens finding employment opportunities abroad.

He said he is yet to receive word on the new policy which he looks forward to getting after the Minister for Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo revealed details in an interview with this newspaper last month. 

"My fear is the new policy that they keep talking about but haven't been announced or released yet, whether it will have any limitations for us in trying to find greener pastures for our people," said Tuatagaloa. "But I'm looking forward to getting a copy of the policy which they keep saying is ready.

"But we haven't heard anything about it, especially us recruiters who are recruiting our people overseas for seasonal work."

Asked about the development of the Falealili seasonal workers program, Tuatagaloa said there have been numerous improvements so far, especially with the new partnerships they built with overseas mayors and employees.

"At the moment, for New Zealand, when the season is on, there's about 400 to 500 that are recruited and for Australia, we have a little bit more than that," he said. "We just got new contacts now in Northern Queensland and they also want some people.

"I'm particularly excited about those opportunities because it's for crops available in the country but these are the conditions we did with those companies.

"We do have our boot camps and next week another big group will leave for New Zealand for Mr. Apple and Johnny Apple seed and everything is going well."

In May this year the mayor of the New Zealand town Hastings, To'osavili Sandra Hazelhurst flew to Samoa to sign an agreement with Poutasi to explore socio-economic projects, education, political understanding, and enable trade opportunities. 

Tuatagaloa, who is a high chief of Poutasi and Falealili and was one of the signatories of the agreement, said he will be heading to Hastings, New Zealand next month for further discussions.

"In the sense that our lines of conversation are still open and I'm going back in early November to Hastings for other discussions and I'm excited about the future of the agricultural development, and their offer to bring their expert farmers, particularly in tree crops," he said. 

"The thing is, we want to go away from the use of these herbicides and chemicals we use."