Samoa chided by US Govt agency for child exploitation; Covid-19: Australia fulfils 1 million vaccine promise to Fiji - envoy; New Zealand's Reserve Bank is working to improve the financial inclusion of Pacific nations and territories

Samoa chided by US Govt agency for child exploitation

Children in Samoa are subjected to the worst forms of child labour, including in commercial sexual exploitation, and governments have been doing little to eliminate it.

The United States Department of Labor's latest report also says children engage in dangerous tasks in street vending.

Their research found no evidence of laws to stop using, procuring, or offering children for illicit activities, including for the production and trafficking of drugs.

Children who participate in street vending may work long hours, late at night, be exposed to exhaust fumes, and have an increased risk of being hit by passing traffic.

Samoa has laws and regulations related to child labour but the US agency said gaps exist, including the lack a prohibition of using children in illicit activities.

Samoa's regulations permit children between aged 12 to 14 to engage in light work for a limited number of hours, but they don't specify aspects of this light work, or define the activities permitted.

Covid-19: Australia fulfils 1 million vaccine promise to Fiji - envoy

Australia has fulfilled its promise of providing one million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to Fiji.

High Commissioner John Feakes handed over the last batch of 107,500 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Fijian health officials in Suva on Wednesday.

Mr Feakes said his government has committed more than 1.1 million doses in six months and their support to Fiji's fight against Covid will continue.

Fiji's Health Ministry said more than 95 percent of the target population have been fully vaccinated.

The country's borders are set to reopen to the world on the 1st of December.

New Zealand's Reserve Bank is working to improve the financial inclusion of Pacific nations and territories

New Zealand's Reserve Bank is working to improve the financial inclusion of Pacific nations, by making remittances to the islands more accessible and cost-effective.

The central bank's latest Financial Stability Report indicates the changes will improve the region's financial stability and prosperity, and assist with its recovery and growth.

Difficult access to banking services is one of the reasons why there has been a rise in the use of cryptocurrencies across the Pacific, which are largely unregulated, with trading prohibited in some nations.

Cost is another factor, with a recent study indicating New Zealand's recognised seasonal employer workers paid about 400-dollars a season in remittance transaction fees.

The RBNZ said it is already working with Pacific Island central banks and international organisations to make remittances to the Pacific more accessible, safe and cost-effective.

Vanuatu govt introduces new kava tax

Vanuatu's Association of Kava Exporters is angry at a new tax to be imposed next year.

The association said there was no consultation from the government on the 2 percent tax on kava exports it is planning to apply.

It has written to the Finance Minister, Johnny Koanapo, pointing out that kava has become a huge game changer in recent years for farmers and their families.

It said this improvement in quality and quantity is down to a major replanting programme six years and now the country is reaping the benefits.

The association said this has been achieved with little help from the government.

They say this new tax will be the third tax on kava after one by provincial governments and another by customs and they plead with the minister to sit down and discuss the issue.

Niue to get PACER Plus technical support from Australia and NZ

Australia and New Zealand are to help Niue increase exports of fresh agricultural and value-added products.

The countries are providing technical support under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations, or PACER Plus.

The partnership, through the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program, will work with the public and private sectors in Niue to boost trade.

The technical help will focus on such areas as biosecurity, market access pathways and standards.

The PACER Plus agreement, which aims to foster trade and development in the Pacific, came into force last December.

Niue Finance Minister, Crossley Tatui, said opportunities such as this enable us to build to our capacities and enhance our trading activities with key trading partners Australia and New Zealand as well as harness economic development opportunities.

Man in Samoa charged with committing incest against his daughter

A father who committed incest with his daughter in 2019 but failed to appear in court for sentencing, has now been charged, and pleaded guilty to another offence involving the same daughter.

The first incident occurred when the victim was 9 years old - she is now 12 years of age.

The Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for the defendant back in 2019.

He appeared before Supreme Court Justice, Fepulea'i Roma Ameperosa on Tuesday, pleading guilty to both incest cases.

The man is in custody and will be sentenced 26th November.

More repatriation flights announced by Samoa's government

Samoa's government has announced 11 repatriation flights to be operated by Qantas, Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways.

The former Minister responsible for Samoa Airways in the HRPP government has urged the government to put a leased aircraft to use for Covid-19 repatriation flights to save money for taxpayers.

TV1Samoa reports Lautafi Fio Purcell believes that if government uses the aircraft, currently parked in Brisbane, it would save millions and start paying for itself.

He was speaking after the government announced the 11 repatriation flights during the months of November and December.

The government has tasked a special committee to look into the pros and cons of taking on the leased aircraft.