30 Jun 2020

American Samoa govt employees stranded abroad will be paid

6:17 am on 30 June 2020

American Samoa's governor has ordered cut hours and pay to be restored for government employees stranded off island because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller

Several government employees have been stranded outside of the territory since March, when local borders were shut down to keep the coronavirus out.

Lolo Matalasi Moliga said their income capacity has been eroded through no fault of their own and their annual and sick leave accumulation had been depleted.

He said many employees were on official government business while others were personal matters.