A Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed this morning between the International Labour Organisation and the Samoa Tripartite Forum.
This was for the Samoa Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2024-2028.
Held at the conference room of the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL) was behind the organising of the event.
MCIL Minister Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua in his keynote address said the event marks another milestone for Samoa.
The official signing of the MOU makes this the fourth Decent Work Country Program for Samoa since it became a member of ILO.
According to the Minister, the government would not be able to achieve these set priorities under the program, without the support and contribution from employers, workers, and civil society.
“They have played a major role to ensure public and private partnerships as well as employer and employee relationships define how we effectively implement this program as we did in the previous years.”
He said it is common in any labour related issue that problems will be encountered.
But, he urged that this should be utilised opportunity to learn lessons and educate ourselves to come up with solutions.
DECENT WORK COUNTRY PROGRAM (DWCP)
The Decent Work Country Programs (DWCP) is the framework for delivering ILOs support to promote Decent Work for all of its member countries.
“The priorities of the DWCP are aligned with the Pathway for the Development of Samoa, the United Nations Pacific Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027, and its contribution to achieve the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the minister said.
And acknowledged the ongoing determination and commitment by the organisation supporting the labour system in Samoa, through a variety of activities, and the development of this new DWCP.
But said at the end of the tunnel is the beginning of a new journey.
One that ensures implementation, planning and evaluations are in good grounds, for the future of Samoa in decent work programs.
He thanked the stakeholders in government, private sector, civil societies and everyone who played a part, for their efforts and contributions to ensuring Samoa achieves the priority areas of the program.
“Without your deep assurance and support, our goals could not be achieved.”
THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION
Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for the Pacific, Martin Wandera in his remarks extended his appreciation to the Samoa National Tripartite Forum (SNTF) for the opportunity to attend their meeting and witness firsthand a strong example of social dialogue in action.
He said that the finalisation and signing of the DWCP serves as a testament to Samoa’s unwavering commitment to our shared vision of advancing social justice and decent work.
“As you are aware, by committing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), nations around the world pledged under SDG 8 to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. However, achieving this vision requires deliberate, well-thought-out, and prioritized interventions by governments, in collaboration with social partners,” said Mr Wandera.
And the signing of the DWCP for Samoa is a demonstration of the high value that the Government, workers, employers and the people of Samoa place on structured and strategic action towards addressing employment challenges in the country.
He said, “…decent work is central to ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals remain people centred.”
And this means, that among other things, that individuals from all walks of life must have a ‘voice in shaping policy processes’.
Confidently he said the DWCP signed today meets this standard in several ways:
1. It has been developed jointly by the Government, workers, and employers under the guidance of the Samoa National Tripartite Forum.
2. It is aligned with Samoa’s national development framework, the Pathway for the Development of Samoa, which was formulated through extensive countrywide consultations and reflects the aspirations of the Samoan people.
The DWCP will be ILO’s key programming instrument in Samoa and Mr Wandera said they are pleased that it clearly identifies the priorities of the Government, workers, and employers in promoting decent work.
And also forms part of ILO’s contribution to the broader UN effort in Samoa towards the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Indeed, the DWCP is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Pacific (2023-2027) and the Country Implementation Plan for Samoa, whose review I was privileged to participate in earlier this week.
“By signing this MOU, the ILO reaffirms its commitment to working with you in implementing the DWCP 2024-2028, with a focus on the following three priority areas,” he said.
These are; Promoting decent work at the core of Samoa’s post-COVID economic recovery and response to climate change through inclusive and resilient economic growth and employment development, enhancing workers’ rights and strengthening comprehensive social protection and improving labour market governance, including strengthening the capacity of workers’ and employers’ organizations to effectively participate in social dialogue and influence policy and decision-making processes.
He also invited fellow UN agencies and development partners in Samoa to carefully review this DWCP and explore areas of collaboration.
“I wish to commend Samoa for its leadership on the global stage in ratifying and domesticating international labour standards.”
And, “To date, Samoa has ratified 9 out of 10 core ILO conventions, with the most recent being: 1. Convention 187 (Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health), and 2. Convention 190 (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace).”
He sincerely thanked the Government, employers, and Workers’ Associations, particularly the SNTF and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour (MCIL), for leading the charge in ratifying these conventions but also ensuring effective implementation through national law and practice.
“As the Samoan proverb goes: “O le tele o lima e mama ai se avega” – Many hands make the load lighter.”
He finished his remarks relaying that he was confident that Samoa will fully achieve the expected outcomes of the DWCP but if we work together—pooling our strengths, expertise, and resources. Let us continue fostering strong partnerships to advance decent work, economic resilience, and social justice.
Mr Wandera also made special mention of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling for this friendship, support and contribution in this initiative.
Photos: Jasmine Netzler-Iose
