27 Jun 2015

American Samoa congresswoman looks at minimum wage options

7:28 pm on 27 June 2015

American Samoa's representative in Washington says she's looking forward to receiving details about the governor's plans for the minimum wage.

Aumua Amata, American Samoa

Aumua Amata, American Samoa Photo: RNZI correspondent

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga said he wants the US government to foot part of the bill to increase the minimum wage to federally-mandated levels.

Lolo says while the canneries and private sector wants to see the current wage maintained, he sees a need to upgrade the lifestyle of the territory's workers, and that it's time to think outside the box about the issue.

American Samoa's delegate to Congress, Aumua Amata, says her office is working to find a way to have a wage rate that the territory can afford set by a local committee.

Aumua also says her office is pursuing a moratorium on the next wage hike while it tries to work on a long-term solution.