The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour in partnership with the Government of
Australia through the Tautai Governance for Economic Growth Facility, has commenced
consultations on the development of a Minimum Wage Policy. This will guide the review of
Samoa’s Minimum Wage every two years as required under the Labour and Employment
Relations Amendment Act 2023.

Consultations were held at the Development Bank in Upolu and Jet Over Hotel in Savaii. Led
by MCIL with support of Consultant Mata’afa Dr. Desmond Amosa, key insights and
perspectives were gathered from participants representing Employers, Workers, Civil Society
Organizations and Government.

Recognising the complexities of setting a universal minimum wage, the Ministry with its
partners place high importance on taking a consultative and balanced approach. The assignment
is targeted for completion by February 2024 with the following deliverables:

1. A Minimum Wage policy establishing key parameters at the national level; and
2. A procedural guideline which will operationalize the Minimum Wage review every
two years.

The legislative amendments and national policy aim to address the ad hoc and irregular
review of the national Minimum wage. This in turn will provide more certainty to both
businesses and workers and avoid large adjustments to the Minimum Wage in attempts to
maintain purchasing power of consumers. This is important given the high inflation rates
post COVID-19.

The Chief Executive Officer of MCIL, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling expresses sincere
appreciation on behalf of the Honorable Minister Leota Laki Lamositele for the support of
the Government of Australia in enabling this important work which will be the first of its
kind not only for Samoa but across the Pacific.