Monday was the first day of production for StarKist Samoa, and according to cannery official Tufuga Faafoi Palepua, there was a 90% turnout of employees.
He expects the rest of the employees to be back at work after the next sailing of the Lady Naomi from Samoa on Thursday.
In previous years, the cannery has had trouble meeting production quotas at the start of production after the holidays.
But Tufuga said things are different now, and he’s pleased with the employee turnout for the start of work this year.
“Perhaps after they’ve spent their holiday paychecks they’re eager to return to work,” he said.
Tufuga said StarKist is offering cases of tuna and food vouchers as incentives for workers to return to work on time.
During the two-week shutdown, major maintenance work was carried out at the StarKist Samoa plant.
