‘If people with jobs struggle, what hope is there for people without jobs?’

By Ulimasao Fata 15 January 2018, 12:00AM

The low income levels for the majority of workers in Samoa today is one of the biggest problems there is.

Solomona Kolio, 38, from the village of Sogi and Fasito’o-tai says life in Samoa is really that tough, even regular salaries can’t address the expensive cost of living.

“We have two people in our family who work and support our family financially,” the father of four told the Village Voice team. 

“I am here with my wife at her family’s place, and it’s just me and her other brother who work.”

Mr. Kolio says his family always struggle in terms of finance.

“Only two of us work, that’s one of the issues.

“I also support my four young children who will start school this year.  

“Another struggle is when we have to support our family’s obligations and village affairs because that costs money.”

Mr. Kolio says it’s good that they have a plantation to turn to.

“We have always been grateful of the plantation because of the help it provides in times of need.

“We don’t sell the crops that are on our plantation we just work on it to provide food for us and that’s about it.

“I am on my way there to prepare food for us for our To’ona’i and that saves me money from going to the market and buying it from there.”

Mr. Kolio mentioned his salary only lasts his family three days.

“I don’t earn that much from my work and usually it would take me three days to use it because everything is expensive today.

“Life is really hard now in Samoa and if we don’t have a plantation to help us in terms of food, we would be in a hard situation.”

Mr. Kolio adds let’s not just focus on our regular jobs for income.

“I know some of us, the moment we have regular jobs around town, then we tend to forget to work on our plantation.

“Little do we know that you can also find food and money in your plantation, not just doing office jobs.”

By Ulimasao Fata 15 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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