Does a small boat service count in climate action for decent jobs ?

Mikaele (Michael) Sola is a name the waves reckon with.

He has lived a good 40 years on the small island of Manono, operating a small (1980 model) motorboat service, transporting residents and tourists within  20 minutes between Manono and the main island of Upolu.

Over 350 lives depend on Michael's boat service, not only for travelling but for the continuous supply of daily necessities.

Michael earns a fair income from the boat service. He pays his dues to the government, his community obligations, school fees, and puts food on the table. 

However, some unusual waves have struck his boat service. Michael, who has depended solely on his traditional knowledge of the ocean, is puzzled by the change in sea levels and the intensity of the waves, particularly in the route he travels between Manono and Upolu. The Covid 19 redundancy of the tourism industry also has drastically reduced the business for Michael.

"But the boat service is not just for me," Michael said. The safety of the passengers even during a short ride is also a concern.

This form of service and employment is essential. However, there is limited recognition and support to sustain these services in the face of climate change and the covid 19 crisis. 

It is this kind of job, amongst others in the agriculture, fisheries and tourism sectors, that the Prime Minister of Samoa, Honorable Fiame Naomi spoke for at the opening of the International Labour Organization Global Forum for a Human-centred Recovery last week.

"Inclusive, sustainable and resilient are keywords within a human-centred recovery,"  she said, “and it is critical that we commit to pursue a strong and coherent global response to help the Member States better respond and recover, from climate and health crises."

It is also important she added, that the global response is enabled by strong partnerships and joint actions among international and regional organizations

"Climate action is also central to human-centred recovery and Samoa’s commitment towards a ‘Just Transition’ and the need for genuine efforts by all, to ensure that the creation of decent employment is at the core of climate action."

Samoa and the Pacific Island States at the forefront of adverse impacts of climate change are ever committed to ensuring a way ahead of these challenges working with the ILO on measures to manage the impacts of climate change on jobs and the workforce.

She said Samoa will continue to uphold commitments to decent work through improved labour standards built on the foundation of their culture and heritage perpetuating social harmony in the region.

Samoa will also, continue to observe the guidelines of greening the economies for more opportunities to accelerate economic growth and generate decent jobs that will contribute significantly to poverty reduction and social inclusion.

Honourable Fiame also highly acknowledges the work and support of the ILO, in furthering Samoa and the Pacific’s efforts towards inclusive, full, and productive employment.

Read More | Prime Minister Speech

About the Forum

Honourable Prime Minister addressed the forum on behalf of Samoa and as the Co-chair of the International Advisory Board for Climate Action for Job Initiatives (CA4JI) that was established to support the Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted in 2015. The Forum was organized as a follow-up to a decision by the International Labour Conference in 2021 for a global call to action for human-centred recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. Through this Forum, the Governments, Workers and Employers from ILO’s 187 member states are committed to pursuing a strong and coherent global response in support of members' human-centred recovery strategies that are inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. Joint initiatives and enhanced institutional arrangements among international and regional organizations are also key to realising a global committment.

For more information:

Tomasi Peni – ILO National Coordinator in Samoa | peni@ilo.org

Peter Blumel – Communication officer, ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries (Suva) | peterb@ilo.org