The second of five planned special Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme flights departed Faleolo International Airport today. 155 Samoan workers will arrive in New Zealand to take part in the 2021 horticulture and viticulture season. In addition to the Sunday 17th January special RSE flight, two more RSE flights are scheduled to depart Samoa on the 25th and 29th January.
The workers will spend 14-days in a Managed Isolation and Quarantine facility.
According to a Newsline Samoa article, Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi reminded the workers last week to stay focused and avoid distractions with women and any extramarital affairs.
The Governments of Samoa and New Zealand have been working closely to get the RSE programme underway for the 2021 season. New Zealand’s viticulture and horticulture sector raised concerns about labour shortages threatening their season.
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced the new RSE border exception in November 2020,
- 2000 additional RSE workers to enter New Zealand from January to March 2021
- employers must pay these workers at least $22.10 an hour
- employers will cover costs of managed isolation for the RSE workers
- RSE workers will be paid the equivalent of 30 hours work a week while in isolation
