OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Wednesday, June 13, 2007)
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Gov. Togiola and Sec. Kempthorne sign

$188,000 grant award for workforce study

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today joined Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in a signing ceremony to formally accept a Department of Interior grant award of $188,000 to fund a workforce study designed to help American Samoa attract private sector investment.

As part of the working lunch at Convention Center in Utulei, Governor Togiola Tulafono expressed his concerns about the long-term viability of the tuna canneries that employ one-third of American Samoa’s workforce.   
 
“The recently passed federal minimum wage legislation would force the canneries to relocate to countries that pay their workers a fraction of what workers earn in American Samoa,” said Governor Togiola. “On the brink of a severe economic downturn, Mr. Secretary, I am happy to receive this grant award that will fund a study to help us and private investors determine whether there is a sufficient number of qualified employees on the island to support a call center industry or other industries.”

Governor Togiola said, in addition, the study will identify the potential availability of workers from the independent state of Samoa and, if necessary, neighboring islands.
 
Secretary Kempthorne said he has heard the concerns of Governor Togiola and local leaders that the recently passed federal minimum wage legislation would force the canneries to relocate to countries that pay their workers a fraction of what workers earn in American Samoa.

“I listened to American Samoa’s local leaders and understand that an exodus of the canneries would be devastating,” said Secretary Kempthorne.“ In the long run, the Department of the Interior will work to help American Samoa diversify its economy into areas that can support higher wage jobs. The grant I signed here in American Samoa is part of that effort.”

“American Samoa has lost more of its fine young men and women per capita in Iraq and Afghanistan than any state or any other territory,” said Secretary Kempthorne. “This territory has earned the right to have its legitimate concerns duly considered in Washington, D.C.”