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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 2l9-8743
Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman today announced the
six members of the committee selected to review current minimum wage rates for
all industries in American Samoa covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act
(FLSA), the federal wage and hour law.
The committee hearing is open to the public. It will begin June 23,
1997, in Pago Pago, America Samoa.
The committee consists of two members each selected to represent the
public sector, employers, and employees. Jerome Ross, who will also serve as
chair, and Sapa T. Vaivao will serve as public representatives. Cheryl A. Vink
and Joseph M. Pereira will serve as employer representatives. Serving as
employee representatives will be Keir Jorgensen and Senator Moaaliitele
Tuufuli.
The FLSA provides that minimum wage rates in American Samoa may be
established by special industry committees at rates below that required on the
mainland. The current mainland minimum wage is $4.75 an hour; and is scheduled
to increase to $5.15 on September 1, 1997.
After holding public hearings to review local economic conditions,
including testimony from interested parties, the committee will determine
whether Samoan minimum wage rates - currently $2.45 to $3.75 an hour - should
be increased or should remain at current levels. The committee cannot recommend
that wage rates be decreased.
Based on its findings, the committee will recommend to the Labor
Department the highest rate for each industry that will not substantially
curtail employment and will not give industries in the territory a competitive
advantage over similar mainland businesses. These recommendations will be
published in the Federal Register and take effect 15 days after
publication.
The FLSA objective with respect to wage rates below the mainland
minimum is to increase Samoan rates to the mainland minimum level as rapidly as
is economically feasible without substantially curtailing employment.
According to the most recent information made available to the
Department, there are more than 11,000 public and private employees in American
Samoa protected by FLSA, including most of the approximately 4,500 employees of
the Government of American Samoa. Tuna fish canning is the major private sector
industry, employing almost 4,400 workers in two canneries.
The FLSA provides for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and
child labor standards and is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the
Department's Employment Standards Administration.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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