The Minister of Social Development is under growing pressure to do more to help migrant workers in desperate circumstances after losing their jobs due to Covid-19 lockdown and who are unable to access benefits.
One migrant worker had asked a budget centre for adult nappies, because he was sleeping in his car after losing his job and home. He does not qualify for a benefit because of his immigration status.
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni has been urged to activate a special epidemic provision under Section 64 of the Social Security Act, to give benefits to people who do not normally qualify.
But Sepuloni is not activating the clause, and told Checkpoint the government is offering appropriate support through Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
