Samoa has recorded its eighth consecutive quarter (or two years) of declining job opportunities as the economy continues to be buffeted by the COVID-19 led economic recession. 

The negative growth in employment numbers since December 2019 were contained in a Samoa Bureau of Statistics report for the September quarter of this year. 

The report found headline employment numbers in the quarter decreased by 0.2 per cent.

“The effects of COVID-19 worldwide with its national restrictions contributed to this downturn in performance,” read the report.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 effects have negatively impacted industries such as accommodation, fishing, agriculture, construction, other services and transport.

“Wages and salaries for the September 2021 quarter recorded an increase by 0.7 per cent on a year on year basis from $141.7 million in September 2020 to $142.7 million in the period under review. This performance reflected negative growth in industries such as accommodation, other services, fishing and construction to name a few.

“Formal employment in the quarter under review again recorded a negative growth of 0.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

“This was mainly due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on normal business operations and travel restrictions. When compared to the June 2021 quarter, employment index increased by 1 per cent.”

In addition, the employment index continues to peak during the September quarters due to national events and functions that are held within the country during this period.

“The Employment Index experienced negative growths in the previous years and has continued on to the quarter under review which makes it the eighth consecutive decline after a positive growth rate recorded in September 2019.

“Industries that have contributed negatively in the September 2021 quarter in terms of employment index include: accommodations, fishing, agriculture, construction with their contributions of – 35 per cent, -30.8 per cent, -15.3 per cent and -11 per cent respectively.

“The total number of persons employed in the formal sector in the September 2021 quarter was 24,504; of which 56.4 per cent were males and 43.6 per cent were females.”

While the total wages amounted to $142.7 million, males received the biggest share of 54 per cent while females received 46 per cent of total wages.

“However, in terms of quarterly average wages, males earned less than females. The overall quarterly average wage for males was $5,585 and for females was $6,134.

“In the quarter under review, the Services sector continues to be the main sector employing 62.3 per cent of the formal population. Public Administration employed about 25.2 per cent whereas the Secondary Sector accounted 11.5 per cent. The Primary Sector employed the least amount of workers accounting for only 1 per cent of the employed population.”