StarKist Samoa is now working with District Development Centers, or Ofisa Fono Faavae, in Samoa to hire people from the districts to work at the local cannery.
Deputy General Manager of StarKist Samoa, Tufuga Faafoi Palepua, speaking from Savaii, said this is a positive step forward in their recruiting efforts in Samoa. He believes the involvement of district offices in the selection of cannery workers would provide an effective monitoring system of guest workers.
General Manager of StarKist Samoa Injoo Ha, is leading a StarKist delegation that met with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leauatea Schmidt and cabinet ministers. The delegation includes Tufuga, Human Resources Manager Laosamoa Poasa, and Interpreter Edmund Kim. Samoa’s Consul general to American Samoa, Fata Brian Kaio, is accompanying the StarKist group.
Tufuga said they were able to update the Samoan leaders that, since last year, StarKist has provided housing in Vaitogi and Tafuna for guest workers. He said there are two apartment buildings the cannery is using to accommodate 120 guest workers. While the company still has plans to build housing on leased land at Atuu for guest workers, he said the project is taking longer than anticipated, therefore, in the meantime, they’ve found accommodations for the workers in Vaitogi and Tafuna.
Tufuga said housing was the main concern raised by Samoa, and their report on the accommodations was well received.
