Member of Parliament Sagaga 4, Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa has been appointed as the new Associate Minister for the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour.
He will be assisting Cabinet Minister Leatinu’u Wayne So’oialo and Associate Minister Lagaaia Tiatuau Tufuga.
Tagaloatele was sworn in this morning by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and Cabinet Ministers. The Prime Minister said the appointment was deliberated before Cabinet and it is timing given the recent issues pertaining to the directives of the respective Ministry.
Adding the goal is to offer support and assistance to the Minister in what is required to carry out the mandates of the Ministry.
Fiame said the appointment of Tagaloatele Papali’i Poloa as Associate Minister to MCIL is timing and in line with the proposed bill pending in Parliament.
The Prime Minister is referring to the amendments to the Labor and Employment Relations Act 2022.
The measure covers a number of issues the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour says, seeks to amend labour acts to improve consistency with ratified International labour organization conventions.
Also to clarify the terms and conditions of employment and the role of labour inspectors improve processes for resolving employee grievances and complaints and also to provide for a process regarding the termination of employment.
One specific amendment in the proposed bill will assist with the Seasonal Working Scheme Program.
Fiame said during the swearing-in ceremony, that Tagaloatele will also assist with the ongoing review of the Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme and that she’s confident in his abilities to carry out the duties of an Associate Minister.
“Congratulations Tagaloatele, our Government is forging forward and may the good Lord protect and give you good health to carry out your service to the Country and the Government.”
Tagaloatele’s first time running for office was last year in which he was unsuccessful. However, he subsequently challenged the winning candidate in an election petition, forcing his opponent to step down.
He was elected to Parliament in the by-election results leading with over 400 votes.
In 2017 Tagaloatele was elected president of the Samoa Amateur Boxing Association in a contested AGM, leading to a court case which overturned the results, the next year he was elected president of the Samoa Boxing Federation.
