Employees of the Fono will have their hours cut from 80 to 70 per pay period effective next Monday.
But the Fono leaders and House Representatives and Senators will still receive their full 80 hours along with their office allowance checks.
Governor Lolo Moliga had announced at yesterday’s cabinet meeting that the cutback in hours had received the support of the Senate President and Speaker of the House, whom he met with on Tuesday.
KHJ News asked Speaker Savali Talavou Ale today whether their support meant that the leaders and lawmakers would join the reduction in hours.
The Speaker said that he and the Senate President have decided that the Fono will also implement a 7 hour work day, for employees of the Fono effective Monday.
He said “we have to shoulder the burden that our government is facing with its finances.”
However the Speaker said “it’s difficult to touch the salaries of the Fono leaders and members because they are set by law.”
KHJ News pointed out that according to the governor’s announcement at the emergency cabinet meeting yesterday, he and the lt, governor will also have their hours reduced.
There was no comment from the Speaker.
Still on the reduction in hours, will the semi autonomous agencies also face a pay cut?
The governor said yesterday as long as the authorities receive a subsidy from ASG they will be included in the 7 hour work day.
He went on to say that the authorities can’t operate like normal when the government is struggling financially.
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