8 Nov 2005

Samoa PM rules out increasing doctors starting salaries

9:28 pm on 8 November 2005

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele says the government can't increase the starting salaries for doctors.

Striking doctors tabled the starting salaries as one of the main barriers to attracting doctors back to Samoa after studying abroad.

He says in 1981 there was a public outcry over doctors salaries being more than other public servants.

Tuilaepa Sailele says that they can't offer more money to new doctors.

"You cannot fix the salaries structure of doctors here to be comparable to New Zealand salaries. That's impossible. We don't just have one professional. You also have to be very careful with other professionals as well."

Tuilaepa Sailele says they are prepared to increase the salaries of some doctors based on expertise and improve working conditions.