Starkist Co, owners of StarKist Samoa welcomes Congresswoman Aumua Amata’s efforts to amend federal legislation governing the territory’s minimum wage.
Last week the congresswoman introduced a bill in Congress that calls for the restoration of a Special Industry Committee appointed by the Secretary of Labor to review local wages.
This would replace a provision in federal law passed in 2007 requiring that the local minimum wage be incrementally increased until it reaches the US level of $7.25 an hour.
A statement from the cannery says, “StarKist Co. appreciates and welcomes the Congresswoman’s initiative and we look forward to working with her and her office to ensure that labor issues in American Samoa are addressed in the most productive way possible for all interested parties.
“We thank her for her leadership and ongoing attention to strengthen the economic foundation of American Samoa to benefit the territory’s future.
“The Congresswoman continues to bring attention to the issues facing American Samoa and we applaud her efforts.”
