23 Apr 2008

NZ seasonal worker scheme may be tweaked over abuse by Samoans

1:32 pm on 23 April 2008

A Samoa seasonal worker in New Zealand has been charged with sexual harassment over an alleged offence in a bar involving a waitress.

The CEO of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Auseuga'efa Va'asatia, says the case is pending but he will discuss the issue at a meeting in Wellington next week.

He says the meeting will look at whether the seven-month terms for Samoan workers should be shortened to five months because of the latest incident.

Other issues such as reducing the cost of working visas and the appointment of a liaison officer will also be looked at.

Meanwhile, the CEO has revealed that two other Samoan seasonal workers were deported last week following a fight in a local bar in Hawkes Bay.

The pair worked for the Mr Apple Company.

He says so far seven workers have been returned to Samoa because of alcohol-related incidents.