The US Government Accountability Office will be on island October 17-24th to assess the impact of the federally imposed minimum wage on the territory’s economic health.
Governor Lolo Moliga says, “Given the direct adverse financial impact of the federal minimum wage on our efforts to grow our economy let alone sustaining it. It is imperative that we invest in developing our strategy to support our prevailing position o changing the current legal format to determine the appropriate minimum wage rate for our territory. ”
The governor has appointed a Minimum wage Task force to develop ASG’s strategy to support its position that the current federal minimum wage law is reckless and unreasonable given the devastating financial impact on American Samoa’s economy,
The task force is co chaired by the Director of Commerce Fuiavailili Keniseli Lafaele and Executive Assistant to the Governor Iulogologo Joseph Pereira. Members are Port Director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele, Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipea, Budget Director Catherine Saelua, Director of Human Resources Eseneiaso Liu, and Director of Public Works Faleosina Voigt.
Governor Lolo has also invited members of the private sector to serve on the Task Force: Solip Hong, Taotasi Archies Soliai, Ella Gurr and Leilua Stevenson. The Department of Commerce will staff the Minimum Wage Task Force.
