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ASG hiring freeze lifted after release of study by the
Department of Human Resources
Governor Togiola Tulafono says he will lift the freeze on all hiring, promotions, and increments for the American Samoa Government, after a study conducted by the Department of Human Resources found no major impact of the wage hikes on ASG’s budget for the current fiscal year.
Governor Togiola issued a memorandum on May 20 explaining that the personnel freeze allowed the ASG to plan the rest of FY 2008 and FY 2009 personnel budgets, pursuant to the May 25 minimum wage increase of 50-cents per hour.
As of May 25, according to the Governor, all wages are now in place in accordance with the federal law on minimum wage, including differentials. This means ASG employees should expect to see the new raise(s) in their first paychecks in July.
On his weekend radio program, Togiola said DHR has completed its review of the impact of the new minimum wage increases and the good news is, ASG will not be required to carry out any reclassifications or change the job descriptions for workers being paid on the minimum wage level, as well as those in the next pay scale level.
The new minimum wage for government workers is now $3.91 per hour and 117 employees have been affected in the new increases. The wages for another 134 employees had to be adjusted as well, to reflect a higher pay scale than their counterparts being paid on the minimum wage level.
The Governor explained that the new increases do not require any new funding source(s) for ASG, meaning no new taxes will be necessary. Even better, there is enough funding to cover the recently approved reclassification for teacher salaries.
According to Togiola, there is enough money in the current budget to cover the rest of FY 2008. For FY 2009 and years to follow, funding will be provided in the annual budget. However, some programs may be affected as the reallocation of funds to cover the increases means less money for government operations.
The Governor said ASG collections are doing very well and it is expected that the same will be true in years to come. He said the wage increases and DHR’s review will be forwarded to the Treasury Department and the Budget Office for implementation.
Togiola concluded by thanking DHR, Treasury, and the Budget Office saying, “They made all these changes possible.”
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