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Minimum Wage Study

Posted Wed, 09/19/2007 - 09:14 by Admin

September 19, 2007

Washington, D.C. -- US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SAYS MINIMUM WAGE STUDY WELL UNDERWAY; REPORT WILL BE ISSUED IN JANUARY 2008

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he met with Dr. Ronald Bird, Chief Economist from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy of the US Department of Labor, regarding the minimum wage study now underway to determine the impact of increases on the economies of American Samoa and CNMI.

“I am pleased to report that Dr. Bird has informed me that the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Statistics has made tremendous progress in American Samoa and has already gathered data from our tuna canneries, ASG, and the US Department of the Interior,” Faleomavaega said.  “The Bureau of Statistics will also be consulting with our local Chamber of Commerce.”

Minimum Wage Statement

Posted Wed, 02/07/2007 - 05:17 by Admin

February 7, 2007

Since the minimum wage issue was raised in the US House of Representatives recently there have been various opinions expressed in the Territory for and against raising the current minimum wage here to be in line with the new levels in mainland US.

We were caught in a political points scoring match between the Democrats and the Republicans initially, with neither party it seemed having any regard for the economic prosperity of the Territory. It appears that a more rational approach has now been taken and the Territory will probably be excluded from the wage hike and continue to operate under the Special Industries Committees for it’s wage reviews.

New Minimum Wage Proposal Main Issues

Posted Sat, 01/27/2007 - 05:12 by Admin

January 22, 2007

Lt. Governor, Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, Hon. Senators and Hon. Members of the House, thank you for the opportunity to express the views of the Chamber of commerce to your committee today.

We have been caught in a political football match with the Republicans and the Democrats each trying to score cheap points with no regard for the economic prosperity of American Samoa.  The stakes are high for our economy and if this proposed legislation is passed it will have devastating effects.

The Chamber has written to the House Speaker urging her not to include American Samoa in the proposed changes and to maintain the present system of a two yearly review. Everyone in both government and the private sector must unite and be supportive on the Governor and our Congressman in their efforts to exclude American Samoa from the proposed new legislation.

Letter to Pelosi re: Minimum Wage Legislation

Posted Thu, 01/18/2007 - 05:23 by Admin
Hon. Mrs. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House United States House of Representatives sf.nancy@mail.house.gov 18 January 2007 FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE Dear Mrs. Speaker The Executive Board of Directors and Members of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce would like to express their concern over what is being reported in the press as a piece of proposed legislation to include American Samoa in the broad sweep of the Minimum Wage increase in two stages from it’s present level to $7.25.
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