The Samoa National Provident Fund (S.N.P.F.) is planning to gradually increase S.N.P.F member contributions from seven to ten per cent over three years, according to the Samoa Chamber of Commerce.

On Wednesday, Chamber advised its members of the S.N.P.F plan, and is seeking feedback to take back to the Fund, who have been invited to address the membership next week Monday.

In an official statement in response to questions from the Samoa Observer, Chamber President Jennifer Ula-Fruean said the decision was not made in full consultation with private sector employees, and so the Chamber has requested time from S.N.P.F Chief Executive Officer, Pauli Prince Suhren, to work with their memberships.

“We are requesting the government to allow us time to properly consult with our wide employer base membership that includes larger industry organisations such as Samoa Hotel Association; Women in Business Development Incorporated (W.I.B.D.I.) and Business of Salafai Association (B.O.S.A.),” said Ms Ula-Fruean.

“Samoa Chamber is now gathering feedback from 415 members and members of the private sector community for their feedback. We are the voice of businesses and employers and we will advocate for what our members feedback to us.”

She said the Chamber would like to see major changes which affect businesses and employers worked through with the private sector, in honour of the relationship it has “nurtured and shared with government over the years.”

“We feel this particular proposal has not been widely consulted and notified to Chamber and its employer members,” said Ms. Ula-Fruean.

In an urgent request to its membership, the Secretariat asked whether they support an increase for employers’ contributions to ten percent staggered over three years. They also sought to know how many staff are employed by the member and in what industry.

Feedback from members is due Friday for the Secretariat to formulate a formal position on the change.

Attempts to get comment from the S.N.P.F leadership were unsuccessful, and subsequent attempts to reach the fund’s Minister, Sili Epa Tuioti were referred back to C.E.O Pauli.