The next stage of the hikes in the minimum wage in American Samoa and the Northern Marianas comes into force on next week.
Some local businesses have asked about the actual date of the minimum wage hike, due to previous media reports based on statements made by local officials, which suggest the change would come between May and July this year.
But the Department of Labour says the fifty cent increase will apply from May 25th in American Samoa and May 26th in the CNMI.
The series of rises has been strongly opposed by businesses in the American territories and have been listed as a factor in the closure of one of American Samoa's main employers, the tuna cannery, Samoa Packing.
The wages are to rise incrementally each year until they are in line with those on the mainland.
