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US House Subcomittee To Hold Pacific Minimum Wage Hearing

By Fili Sagapolutele in Pago Pago
Friday: January 25, 2008

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs is set to hold two hearings in American Samoa next month dealing with the federal minimum wage and a measure that directs the Secretary of Interior to place three questions on the territory’s November general election ballot.

The subcommittee, which is chaired by U.S. Rep. Donna Christensen, is scheduled to be in the territory on Feb. 21 with the hearings set for Feb. 22 at the American Samoa Community College.

Speaking on his weekly radio program Wednesday night, Faleomavaega said the “oversight hearing” will be held first and this deals with the new federal minimum wage
that went into effect last year.

He said the hearing will provide a good opportunity for the public to voice its concerns about the escalating minimum wage, which affects both American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The first escalating clause, of 50 cents per hour, goes into effect in May this year and another 50 cents every year thereafter until the minimum wages in American Samoa and CNMI reaches the new federal level of $7.15 per hour.

Faleomavaega said last month that the hearing is important before Congress receives a report from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on the economic impact on the two territories because of the new federal minimum wage law.

Pacific Magazine learned today that the DOL report is expected to be released on Friday to Congress, pending any final edits. None of the traditional leaders in American Samoa contacted by Pacific Magazine were aware of what’s in the report.

According to a statement issued Thursday by the Congressman’s Office the subcommittee plans to hear from witnesses representing the federal government, possibly from the Department of Interior and the Department of Labor. 

The subcommittee is also planning to extend invitations to local government leaders including the governor, president of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and representatives from the two canneries.

The second hearing, also on Feb. 22, is a legislative hearing on a federal measure that
instructs the Department of Interior to place on the November 2008 ballot three questions: (1) whether individuals who are born in American Samoa should become citizens of the United States, (2) whether the Senators of the American Samoa Fono (or Legislature) should be elected by the qualified electors from the respective counties that the Senators are to represent, and (3) whether American Samoa should have its own Federal district court with limited jurisdiction.

Faleomavaega said this particular measure touches on some very sensitive issues concerning the territory, and it is important for the subcommittee to hear directly from the people of American Samoa on how to proceed with this legislation.

The American Samoa Senate has strongly opposed the measure saying that such decision on these issues rest solely on local government.

However, Faleomavaega said last month that it’s pertinent that there is wide public opinion from the community on these important questions that has been raised over the past years. Many local residents have written to the media in support of Faleomavaega, saying that the “general public or the common person” should be given these questions to answer but not the Fono.