Immigration Officers working after hours at the port and airport have not been paid overtime since 2013. Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Mrs. Fagamalama Fualaau informed US Department of Labor about this during a session by the federal agency to explain a new federal overtime rule which goes into effect December 1st. Local law provides a Fund to which fees paid by merchants, individuals and other users for any services received after hours at the port and airport are dedicated to pay overtime for immigration, customs, quarantine and other personnel on duty at the ports of entry. According to Fualaau the Immigration office was told to try and have their employees divide their eight hours between the Immigration Office and at the airport and the wharf, which the acting immigration chief said is impossible with the shortage of staff. The DOL agents who gave the presentation on the overtime rule and other labor issues were surprised when told of Immigration’s overtime situation. They said they would look into this. DOL’s Director, Wage and Hour Division, Honolulu District, Terrence J. Trotter when asked for comments said he’s not going to be harsh in responding to the media but said it is an issue that they will definitely review.
