Samoa at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, Geneva, 1–12 June 2026

Geneva, Switzerland, 8 June 2026

The Honourable Fata Ryan Schuster, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, is leading Samoa's tripartite delegation at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC). The ILC is convening on the 1st to the 12th of June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, attended by an estimated five thousand government, employer and worker representatives from the 187 Member States of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The annual gathering is the opportunity for member states to debate international labour standards.

Through the Samoa National Tripartite Forum (SNTF), the government works collaboratively with employers and workers to discuss and formulate national policies relating to employment, occupational health and safety, and international labour standards. This national social dialogue mechanism is extending into the discussions at the ILC. Faasootauloa Sam Junior Saili, President of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Lealaisalanoa Karamellie Tuala, President of the Public Service Association, are Samoa's social partners engaging in the Employer and Worker platforms, respectively, and the tripartite fora.

Samoa has engaged in the discussions on Decent Work in the Platform Economy; the Recurrent Discussion on Social Dialogue and Tripartism; the Application of ILO Standards; and through the drafting committee of the work on the Transformative Agenda for Gender Equality at Work.

In Samoa's national statement, the Honourable Fata reaffirmed Samoa's commitment to the mandates of ILO in the pursuit of advancing social justice and promoting decent work. The Assembly was informed of Samoa's work including implementation of the multi-phase minimum wage framework; and the Samoa District Development Programme which is to empower local communities to manage and implement development priorities at the grassroots level. Through direct funding of all 51 districts, support is localised for families, encouraging community resilience and stimulating local economic activities.

Guided by the ILO Director-General Mr Gilbert Houngbo's report, "A moment of choice: Harnessing artificial intelligence for decent work," the 2026 conference agenda centres heavily on the transformative impact of AI on global economies and the world of work. At the bilateral meeting with Mr Houngbo, Minister Fata and Samoa's social partners commended his report and agreed that AI is advancing at a very fast pace and should be governed properly to promote equality in the workplace. Samoa impressed on the need for ILO to support and build the capacity of government, employers and workers in small developing economies on how best to manage AI and the future of work.

Following the Pacific Labour Ministers' meeting that was held in Fiji in May 2026, Pacific labour ministers and heads of delegations reconvened in Geneva to reaffirm the importance of elevating the Pacific voice and interests in the work of ILO including through leadership in Geneva. The inclusion of the Pacific Labour Ministers meeting, and the Pacific labour agenda, in the Blue Pacific regional architecture will reflect the importance of decent work and equitable labour standards for the Pacific.

The delegation of Samoa to the 114th Session of the ILC also includes Mrs. Cedrela Tamati, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, IREPOSH Division, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour; Mrs Leilani Schuster; and Toleafoa Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Samoa in Geneva and Ms Tiare Marumatakimanu, First Secretary.

The Conference concludes on Friday 12 June 2026.