StarKist Samoa has yet to conclude negotiations with the Diocese of Samoa – Pago Pago for a land lease of church property in Atuu, where the cannery plans to build housing for guest workers from Samoa.
StarKist Samoa official Tufuga Faafoi Palepua said they are still in discussions with the church and have not reached agreement on a lease.
The property that’s been scoped for the housing of cannery employees is where the Marist Brothers School was initially located.
It was during inter-Samoa talks in 2022 that the Samoa delegation raised the issue of StarKist Samoa providing housing for guest workers from Samoa
Cannery officials have said that guest workers living arrangements with host families in the territory, some of whom are relatives, have presented problems and have made them want to return home. Having the cannery provide housing would eliminate such problems.
Samoa has advocated for the guest worker program to be similar to the seasonal work scheme where employers in New Zealand and Australia provide housing where workers can live together and the living conditions are similar to that of a village setting.
The cannery is continuing to hire guest workers from Samoa. Last Friday, the latest intake of 30 guest workers heard presentations from Samoa’s Consul General in American Samoa Fata Brian Kaio, senior immigration official Ipi Ieli and StarKist official Laosamoa Poasa Vitolio about the requirements of the guest worker program and other relevant information about their employment at the cannery and living in American Samoa.
Photo: Consulate of Samoa in Am. Samoa
