Poverty in Samoa? That's so "foolish"

There’s no poverty in Samoa. So says Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who has rejected a segment of the first State of Human Rights Report for Samoa about poverty reduction. He said the report is foolish.

Compiled by the Office of the Ombudsman as the National Human Rights Institution (N.H.R.I), the report says one in every five Samoans live in poverty.

“Despite progress in big picture economic growth and within high level development framework, there is disparity in development outcomes particularly in rural and remote areas,” a copy of the report reads.

“Approximately 20per cent of Samoa’s population lives below the basic needs poverty line (B.N.P.L), with the higher proportion of rural populations falling below the B.N.P.L. Basically, this means that about 1 in every 5 Samoans lives in poverty.”

Asked for a comment, Tuilaepa rubbished the report. “That is based on palagi thinking,” the Prime Minister said in relation to poverty.

“It’s based on ideas from Africa. It’s a foolish thought based on the idea there’s not enough food and income. That’s such foolish thinking (for Samoa).”

The Prime Minister said the writers of the report have taken the definition of poverty by African countries and have run with it. He said this is wrong and it is why he had instructed them to write the report from a Samoan context.

Poverty, according to Tuilaepa, is defined as someone who is so poor they walk around without clothes.

“They’re naked all the time,” he said. “Have you seen someone like that in Samoa? If the answer is no, then there is no one living in poverty in Samoa. There is no one walking around on the road naked.”

Tuilaepa went on to say that the sort of poverty the report highlights refers to “skinny people” who don't have food. “In Samoa, what’s happening is that there are a lot of mangoes, pawpaws rotting all over the place. There are lots of coconuts; they are all food, good food that provides vitamins.

“I have never heard about anyone in Samoa who has died because they have become so skinny from the lack of food.”

Another sign of poverty, according to the Prime Minister, is when parents don't send their children to school because they cannot afford school fees. “Some parents can lie about this and say there’s no money so they can get some help,” he said. “And we’ve reached that point now (with free education scheme). So if someone says they have no money (as a reason for not sending children to school) anymore, it reflects how much of a liar they are.”

Tuilaepa also spoke about the issue of health.

He said poverty exists when people are sick there are no medications.

“What’s happening is that there are so many hospitals,” he said. “When it comes to education, we have so many school buildings. So there is no poverty.”

The report, which Prime Minister Tuilaepa launched, delves into community health, sanitation, climate change, religion, mental health, freedom of speech among other issues.

Ombudsman, Maiava Iulai Toma, said it is vital to ensure that human rights are protected everyday for everyone in Samoa.

According to the report, “poverty can be defined as a human condition categorised by sustained or chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights.

“Economic freedom is especially tied to the reduction of poverty because when people can earn a living, it reduces poverty and improves the quality of life for all,” the report reads.”

The report identifies that the issue of poverty reduction is a multi-dimensional problem that cannot be fully dissected within the context of a single report and the N.H.R.I is not capable to address such a complex issue alone.

“Therefore, this section will focus solely on the main issue identified from the Survey that relates to poverty: reducing the cost of living,” the report reads.

“Based on consultations and research, the N.H.R.I believes that in order to reduce the cost of living Samoa must:

( 1 ) increase employment opportunities, particularly for the youth, (2) increase community development, and (3) mitigate cultural and religious financial obligations.

“It is worth noting that Samoa graduated from a ‘least developed country’ (L.D.C) status to developing country status, which shows positive progress towards the eradication of poverty.

Further, UNDP has Samoa on track to meet MDG 1 of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty.”

The report highlights the need to increase employment opportunities.

“The right to an adequate standard of living is enshrined in Article 25 of UDHR as well as Article 11 of ICESCR.

Fulfilment of this right depends on a number of other economic, social and cultural rights, most importantly for the purposes of this section—the right to work.

According to SPC, 41.3% of Samoans are in the workforce, yet the unemployment rate is only 5.1%."

“This likely reflects the high level of informal employment that exists in Samoa as approximately two-thirds of the population is dependent on agriculture for food and livelihood."

“It is positive that a large majority of people are actively engaged in livelihood activities; however it ties poverty strongly to agricultural performance. This can deprive many families of sustainable, stable livelihoods and prevent them from meeting their basic needs in an increasingly monetised society."

“Further, there is a particular lack of formal employment and other opportunities for school leavers and youth, with 16% youth unemployment in 2011, an issue which will persist, noting the proportion of Samoa’s population under 19.”

The report also looks at ways to mitigate cultural and religious financial obligations, which are major contributors to hardship and poverty in Samoa.

“From a cultural perspective, Samoa must be commended for its strong sense of community, which often acts as a safety net for the vulnerable members of society,” the report reads.

“However, Survey participants noted the cost and burden fa’alavelave (traditional obligations) and church contributions can place on families. This is an issue that also relates to students withdrawing from tertiary studies due to inability to meet costs."

“When misunderstood or misused these important cultural norms can unfortunately inhibit the ability of Samoan families to escape poverty. It is important that these cultural obligations are respected and valued; while at the same time should take into consideration the needs of vulnerable families who simply cannot afford to uphold these obligations.”

Among the recommendations in the report is one for the village councils and churches to consider alternative ways to minimise cultural and religious financial obligations, particularly for financially vulnerable community members.