Samoa First Union (SFU) launched an innovative approach to worker organising through a Workers Advice Centre, moving beyond traditional workplace-based organising to build community power and worker education.
Key achievements
Through community-based organising, SFU:
- Conducted 16 workshops across Samoa:
- Four workshops in Savaii reaching 653 participants (423 women, 230 men)
- 12 workshops in Apia reaching 812 participants (207 women, 605 men)
- Provided one-on-one support to 1,105 workers (70% men)
- Established support services for:
- Seasonal workers heading to Australia and New Zealand
- Seafarers needing contract advice
- Workers seeking superannuation and entitlement claims
- Created worker information packages covering:
- Maternity, annual, and sick leave entitlements
- Overtime and public holiday conditions
- Labour Employment Relations Act rights
- Secured involvement in pre-departure briefings for RSE and SWP workers
- Contributed to amendments of Labour Employment Relations Act
- Helped shape new Labour Mobility policy
Challenges faced
- Low wages limiting workers’ ability to pay union fees
- Geographic barriers to reaching workers in Savaii
- Transport costs preventing worker participation
- Family and community commitments affecting attendance
- Need to adapt traditional union models to Samoan context
- Complex mix of local and foreign employers
Project impact
The Centre successfully:
- Increased worker reporting of harassment and abuse
- Improved OHS awareness and enforcement
- Addressed widespread NPF (National Provident Fund) non-payment
- Built community understanding of union values
- Strengthened seasonal worker protection
- Created sustainable pathways for worker education
- Established stronger voice in national policy
- Built relationships with NZ and Australian unions
