Samoa became a member of the ILO in 2005. Since then Samoa has ratified seven conventions; all are ILO fundamental conventions, meaning that only one such convention (on minimum working age) remains to be ratified.
ILO work in Samoa is handled through the ILO’s Office for the Pacific in Fiji. This work covers a number of areas. The office supports employers’ and workers’ organisations in Samoa in their drive to increase membership and strengthen tripartite dialogue. Samoa has also been part of a social security project covering a number of Pacific nations.
Baseline research studies on social protection, workers’ compensation, the efficiency of provident funds, traditional social protection systems, and the formal and informal employment sectors have been carried out, and the recommendations are being used to guide policy formation.
The ILO has also assisted the Samoan Government with its initiative to standardise training curricula, including training methodologies. This initiative has included the setting up of a tripartite training committee and the Samoan Qualification Authority (SQA). The SQA is working to harmonize the training programmes of different training providers and set up national standards.
ILO work in Samoa is supported through the ILO’s Office in Suva, Fiji.