The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour (MCIL), with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), on Monday, 26th August 2024, launched two important documents to strengthen MCIL’s mandated functions and commitment to all its stakeholders towards a “Better Quality of Life” and “Leaving No One Behind”.
The launch of the Samoa Strategy and National Plan of Action towards the Elimination of Child Labour in All Its Forms 2024-2026 as well as the Employee-Employer Guideline in English and Samoan is key in ensuring the rights of the child, as well as the rights of the employers and workers, are promoted and protected.
The launch of the Strategy and National Action Plan 2024-2027 reflects Samoa’s commitment to eliminating and preventing children from engaging in any form of child labour, especially the worst forms of child labour. It ensures that every child enjoys a safe and healthy environment with access to basic needs such as food, healthcare, education, and shelter so they may develop in the best possible ways to enable them to live in dignity.
This also calls for a concerted effort to foster an environment that nurtures and protects children in all stages of development and prevents them from exposure to social and economic challenges that may hinder their well-being.
The Honourable Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Honourable Leota Lamositele Laki Sio, in his keynote address, stated that:
“This is a stepping stone to ensuring that youth and children of Samoa are well looked after, including proper education from a young age, thus ensuring they have a promising and secure livelihood with access to economic opportunities and a positive mindset to help them live in dignity.”
He further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing these efforts to eliminate child labour in Samoa.
This initiative follows Samoa’s recognition as an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country on Child Labour in November 2023 by the Global Coordinating Group, which was strongly supported by the ILO. This puts Samoa at the forefront of global efforts to eliminate forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour. These important milestones contribute towards the achievement of SDG 8.7 and equally important Key Priorities of the Samoa Pathway for Development to Alleviate Poverty and Hardship and Empower People.
Alongside the National Action Plan, MCIL is also introducing the Labour and Employment Relations Guide, available in both Samoan and English. This guide offers a clear summary of the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 (LERA) and its 2023 Amendments, designed to empower employers and employees in the private sector and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
All documents launched will be made available on the MCIL’s website, with hard copies being distributed during the launch to the invited participants.
The Honourable Minister Leota Laki Lamositele Sio acknowledged with appreciation the efforts of the key stakeholders, particularly the Samoa National Tripartite Forum and the Child Labour Taskforce, the MCIL, as well as the ongoing technical and financial support of the ILO, whose commitment was essential to achieving these milestones.
