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VISA FREE ENTRY FOR SAMOANS TO NEW ZEALAND |
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By Lave Tuiletufuga |
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Former New Zealand National
Member of Parliament, Anae Arthur Anae, leading the Movement for
Samoans to enter New Zealand without visas is applauding the Samoan
government’s endorsement for the movement’s new approach.
The Movement had originally wanted New Zealand to grant citizenship for
Samoans born 1924 to 1928. But instead it will present a proposal next
Tuesday to the Samoa Government to pressure New Zealand to grant visa
free entry for Samoans. Anae is also urging the Samoan Government not
to compromise by signing any agreements with the New Zealand Government
unless the visa free entry is approved.
Anae is adamant that New Zealand has nothing to lose should they grant
Samoa visa free entry. He says that the visa free entry approach is the
only way for Samoa to be treated as equals. Anae also insist that if
granted Samoans should not be entitled to unemployment benefits because
it would be a burden to Prime Minister Helen Clarke and her government.
He says that Samoans should be afforded the same rights to enter visa
free for employment and education. But they must have compulsory
medical insurance. As for benefits, Anae says that no benefits should
be paid to Samoans entering under the scheme until they have attained
permanent residency in the country.
Anae feels that the Samoans annual quota should also be discontinued
once the visa free entry is given the green light. He described the
quota as an insult to Samoa especially with the requirement for Samoans
to secure employment that pays $15 an hour when the minimum wage is around
$9 an hour.
Anae also believes that Samoans who were born 1924 to 1928 and their descendants
should also be compensated by New Zealand. He says if Samoa opted to seek
compensation for grievances against the Samoan community from the years of
illegal deportations and jailing, it would cost the New Zealand government
millions.
Acting Prime Minister Misa Telefoni has publicly endorsed the proposal for visa
free entry. But Misa has recommended that the visa free entry should not be for
employment purposes. Misa is concerned that Samoans may abuse the free entry |
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Samoans marching in support of the proposal by Mau Sitiseni Niu
Sila for free entry to New Zealand. |
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Samoans marching in support of the proposal by Mau Sitiseni Niu
Sila for free entry to New Zealand. |
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Anae Arthur Anae, Fepuleai Semi and members of the NZ Movement
for Citizenship welcomed in Apia. |
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leading to an explosion of over-stayers.
Figures showed that Samoa has the highest number of over-stayers in New Zealand
as of April last year. More than 18,000 people are over-stayers with Samoan
over-stayers listed at 3 thousand 5 hundred or about 20% of the over-stayer
population. Tonga is the second largest with close to 2 thousand 8 hundred over-stayers
trailed by one thousand five hundred from Thailand with Great Britain and China
topping the 1 thousand 2 hundred mark.
The Movement is planning a peaceful march to the Samoa Government complex to
personally present their petition to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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