Government employees will this year celebrate Public Service Day in a march on Friday morning followed by a half day so the public offices can hold their own activities. 

The theme for this year’s Public Service Day celebration is "Spirit of Service". 

The Government offices will begin the march from the Police station car park in Apia to the Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinuu II building at Matagialalua where a thanksgiving prayer service will be held. 

A statement from the Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) signed by Chairperson Lauano Vaosa Epa reminded all agencies to ensure there is staff allocated to serve the public at their respective office on the day. 

Following the observance service all agencies are to return to their office following the ceremony to continue with planned activities in celebrating Public Service Day from 1pm onwards. 

“I appreciate very much your understanding and kind collaboration, and trust that this memorandum be received, and accepted, in the true “Spirit of Service”. 

The Public Service Day celebrates Government ministries, organisations and management and the importance of public servants and their service and contribution for the benefit of Samoa and its people. 

Also on Friday teachers across the country will commemorate Teachers Day with events to be held at the Taumeasina Island Resort. 

According to Employment Report March 2022 issued by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics, employment numbers for the quarter went down by 0.5 per cent making it the tenth consecutive quarter of negative growth since December 2019. 

This ongoing effect reflects the negative impact experienced by the country due to the global effect and national restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic on the country. 

S.B.S. reported that this has significantly impacted industries such as restaurants, communications, business services, construction and transport. 

“Wages and salaries for the March 2022 quarter amounted to $142.4 million, increasing by 0.7 per cent over its corresponding period of 2021,” the report noted. 

“This was influenced mainly by the increase in wages and salaries in some industries such as restaurants, education, electricity and other manufacturing.”