EAC says canneries development is a goal in upgrading fisheries development capacity
The Governor’s Economic Advisory Council is recommending that assistance be provided in the development of local canneries in American Samoa, including efforts to reduce or eliminate the minimum wage increases.
In its first report submitted to Governor Togiola Tulafono, the EAC categorizes the canneries under fisheries development and states that the development of the canneries is one of the goals in upgrading the development of the fishing industry.
The other goal is to continue to support efforts that address the concerns of the canneries regarding issues like salaries and taxes.
According to the EAC, the canneries are a cornerstone of the American Samoan economy and improving business opportunities for the canneries will have a positive effect throughout the economy.
Strategies for achieving this goal include increased efforts to eliminate or reduce minimum wage increases and supporting a collaborative program between the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA), the American Samoa Government (ASG), and the canneries to offset the costs of utility and fuel, including research into renewable energy sources.
The timeframe for this to be carried out is 6 months.
Work recommended to be carried out between 6-12 months includes:
- Reforming immigration policies to ease the complicated process of recruiting and retaining cannery workers by assigning immigration officers specifically for the canneries;
- Reforming immigration policy regarding contracted workers – visa should be valid for the contract time, not for only one year
- Reforming the policies and procedures of the Department of Health for health programs for cannery workers;
Other work recommended to be completed within one to two years includes:
- Collaborating with the ASG workforce development, the Department of Commerce, and the American Samoa Community College to develop programs to recruit, train, and retain skilled workers
- Increasing efforts to recruit workers skilled in trades; and
- Establishing a scholarship program for students trained at the National Institute in Samoa.
As a part of the action plan development process, the EAC developed an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to improving agriculture, fisheries and cannery activities in American Samoa.
The Economic Advisory Council is composed of individuals that were appointed by the Governor from members of the local community and cabinet members.
Community members include: Pete Galea’i, Leilua Stevenson, Wallace Thompson, Vince Haleck, Ben Sola’ita, Taulapapa William Sword, Sione Kava, Robin Dalton, Fiti Sunia, Taase Amosa, Laulagia Tuala, Ethan Lake, Robert Urhle, Dean Hudson, David Robinson, Andy Forsgren, Mary Anderson, Tom Drabble, Poe Mageo, Florence Saulo, Gary Ayre, Brian Glass, Lauvao Haleck, Henry Sesepasara, and Leusoga Bill Emmsley.
Cabinet members, who are non-voting council members are: Mageo Ieti, Apefai Taifane, Matagi Ray McMoore, Aleki Sene Sr., Michael Keyser, Dr. Claire Poumele, Dr. Seth Galea’i, and Fanuatele Dr. Toafa Vaiaga’e.
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