Faleata No.3 member of parliament and secretary for HRPP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi urged the public to protest against the new health scheme proposed by the Samoa National Provident Fund.

Leala claimed that the SNPF health scheme policy will be tabled when parliament reconvenes on Tuesday at Mulinuu.

"We thought they were going to shelve it given what happened at their consultations where not many participated. But there is another consultation happening at the end of the month," he said. 

"Consultations are not yet done and yet the policy will be tabled in parliament. So why are they tabling it when consultations are still not done? We saw what happened at the consultations in Upolu and Savaii, not many people attended which is an indication that people are against it.

"I urge the contributors to protest this. That's my advice, they should protest against this. They are not using the people's rights by not letting them choose whether to be part of this or not. The SNPF contribution should be enforced because they will be rewarded in the future, but this, you get nothing.

"We have received the table and it shows that the chairman will be explaining the policy in parliament. Why is he doing it? Where is the CEO? This would be the first time a Chairman will come in instead of the CEO. The chairman shouldn't meddle with the work of the management and staff. For any policies, the CEO has to present it. They are the hands-on operators. But we know the policy he is trying to put forward is a crime."

Leala said that HRPP decided to increase the SNPF contribution to 10 per cent for a good purpose but they have come in and used it in this scheme. 

"They are forcing this issue on the people. Previous consultation shows that people don't agree with this. So why are they forcing this issue on the people when they are strongly against it? 

"The SNPF has a different mandate for its establishment. Their mandate is to save money for the people's future, it's a retirement fund. It was not set up for self-insurance. In terms of insurance and health, the Government set up SLAC as an option, that is your own choice and free will to do."

He also emphasised that three per cent of the contributors' fund is a lot of money. He also stressed that it's either they make it optional or make an additional three per cent for it. 

"Majority of the people who are employed are around 20 plus years old up to 40 years they are still strong. I'm 58, I don't have any condition, I've only been to the doctor twice a year but it's for my regular check-ups. So why would I waste all my money on this?" he said.

"My wife is 57, and she is still working in the government. We are close to retirement age and we don't need this. So, why are they forcing this issue on the people? The cost of living is going up, and there are so many things to deal with. There is still tension in the government, and they come in with these stupid policies? Adding more burden on the people."

He believes that if SNPF thinks this is a good deal, they must make it optional. Leave the decision to the contributors. He also explained that in the last 40 years when HRPP was at the helm, the government paid for the people to get treatments overseas whether they are employed or not. 

"If one per cent of the contributors are using this scheme (because they are sick) why would the 99 per cent suffer for it? For instance, if one person needs surgery overseas, we are all going to pay for that. But we shouldn't be paying for that, the Government should pay for it, that's why HRPP set up the schemes in the beginning."

"With this proposed scheme, if you are sick, then I will be paying for it. The 80 percent paid by that scheme as they say is our money. Another thing, the Government is going to be broke and so is the fund. I don't know how they will monitor this if people decide to go overseas for treatments. 

"People will demand the best medical services because now he's going to force people to pay for it. It's too complicated, it's something he hasn't looked at because he has a small mind. That's why the previous Government did not approve. It was put forward but we shelved it, because we didn't want the people to suffer."

The SNPF health scheme will be having another consultation on 28 February.