Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced the six members selected to serve on the committee 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. This year's hearing is scheduled to begin June 20, 2005, in Pago Pago, America Samoa.

Conducted every two years, the committee hearings are open to the public. Committee members represent the public sector, employers, and employees.

Leilua Mase Akapo, who will serve as chair, and Soliai T. Fuimaono will serve as public representatives. Akapo has more than 30 years of experience working for the American Samoa Government as well as private employers abroad. He serves as chairman of the board of directors for Goodwill Industries American Samoa, as well as a director on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Earthquake and Hurricane. Fuimaono has served as director of the Election Office, an agency of the American Samoa Government, and holds the high chief title “Soliai” from the village of Nu’uuli.

Rodney Reid and Malcolm E. Stockwell will serve as employer representatives. Reid serves as vice president of Peter E. Reid Stevedoring Inc. He has 13 years of experience working for successful private business companies in American Samoa. Stockwell presently serves as vice president for procurement for the StarKist Seafood Company. During his 33-year career with StarKist, he served as general manager of StarKist Samoa from 1976 to 1980.

Serving as employee representatives will be Bridget Martin and Jeff Turkus. Martin is currently the assistant to the international president and director of government affairs with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers. Turkus serves with the Seafarers International Union in the Port of Guam. He is also a member of the Navy League of Guam, and secretary of treasury for the Labor Council of Guam.

The Fair Labor Standards Act provides that special industry committees may establish rates in American Samoa below that required on the mainland. The current mainland minimum wage is $5.15. After holding public hearings to review local economic conditions, including hearing testimony from interested parties, the committee will determine whether Samoan industry minimum wage rates - currently $2.57 to $4.09 an hour - should be increased or 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 U.S. businesses not in American Samoa. These recommendations will be published in the Federal Register and take effect l5 days after publication.

The FLSA provides for minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping and child labor standards and is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Labor Department’s Employment Standards Administration. Copies of the recently released, Economic Report: The Minimum Wage in American Samoa, 2005, may be obtained by calling the Wage and Hour Division at 202-693-0541.

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