Samoa: Emergency government action likely to mitigate unrest over unpaid welfare and public sector salaries

Throughout September, many public servants did not receive all or part of their regular fortnightly salary. Since 25 September, police and nurses have expressed their frustration to the media, one young police officer stated they will not work, one nurse stated they will continue to work, and another stated they have had to take out loans to support their family. Some welfare benefits have also not been disbursed. On 26 September, Samoa’s Head of State - on advice from the new cabinet - formally declared a state of emergency from 29 September until 29 October due to the economic situation. The declaration allows the Treasury to distribute funds for October. 

Assessment: Releasing funds under the emergency declaration is likely to prevent any further escalation of vocal unrest amongst public servants. The Treasury’s halting of payments was due to the lack of authority to issue funds after the previous government failed to pass a budget. The impasse has been temporarily resolved until 29 October, allowing the new government time to enact a short term budget before the emergency period ends. While public servants delivering frontline services had increasingly vocalised distress, the majority continued to work and no leader or workers organisation had centralised this discontent into coordinated action.

Sources: Shalveen Chand, “State of ‘Economic’ Emergency Declared,” Samoa Observer, September 29, 2025; Marieta Heidi Ilalio, “No Pay at All for Nurses,” Samoa Observer, September 25, 2025; Marieta Heidi Ilalio, “Not Working Is an Option: Cops,” Samoa Observer, September 30, 2025.