Governor Lolo Moliga has lifted the freeze on annual pay increments for ASG employees which he ordered the day he was first sworn in as governor of American Samoa in January of 2013.
He issued a memorandum last Monday lifting the suspension of annual pay increments.
The governor said that the suspension was part of cost containment measures which were implemented at the start of their administration on January 3, 2013 demonstrating “commitment to fiscal prudence and maximum financial accountability.”
He said their fiscal vision has been accomplished with the help of the legislature.
“The lifting of the annual increments suspension policy is hereby authorized,said the governor.
Lolo has authorized the Budget Office and Department of Human Resources to begin adjusting salaries of all employees entitled and eligible for annual increments and has set October 1, 2018 as the starting date of the pay increments.
The governor stated however that the lifting of the suspension on pay increments does not relax “our continual vigilance in the prudent management of activities consuming locally generated funds.”
Accordingly cost containment measures implemented since January 4, 2013 will remain in effect .
However agency needs that require local funds will be reviewed on a case by case basis dependent on whether additional revenues will be generated or the quality of the service provided is appreciably improved.
Lolo acknowledged with appreciation the sacrifices made by ASG employees over the years when annual increments were suspended due to fragile and uncertain financial conditions.
He said, “We are very sensitive as well to the steady rise in the cost of living, but it was deemed necessary that we made sure that no employees was laid off as we struggled to improve the financial status of our government.”
Director of Human Resources Mrs Eseneiaso Liu has informed directors that increment requests for ASG employees with an anniversary date of October 1st and onwards will be processed.
In some cases where there is a promotion or salary adjustment involved, the promotion or salary adjustment date may be used in lieu of the anniversary date which had to have occurred on October 1st and thereafter.
The DHR Director said the same process in place prior to the suspension of pay increments will be followed.
That is an employee’s performance evaluation must be submitted to DHR with other required documents.
