A total of 772 Samoan citizens were hired in America Samoa under the guest workers’ permit to work for Samoa’s largest private employer, StarKist Samoa Company, providing opportunities to several families and individuals amid the pandemic.
A statement issued by the American Samoa Government says Attorney General Fainuulelei Ala’ilima-Utu reported that 906 block permits were issued for potential guest workers, and to date, 772 guest workers were approved and are working in the territory.
“Of those who have arrived, two were returned to Samoa immediately, and five of the workers have had their sponsorship terminated by StarKist.”
Fainuulelei commended the Lemanu-Talauega Administration’s initiative to continue the Guest Worker Program to continue to operate before and after the COVID-19 community spread which in turn has provided employment opportunities to over 2,000 employees, and opportunities for many supporting businesses.
Attorney General Fainuulelei in his report says that 765 guest workers have signed agreement forms with the Immigration Division of the Department of Legal Affairs, StarKist, and their host families. Additionally, each worker has been issued Immigration Identifications (ID) for employment.
Governor Lemanut Peleti Mauga in turn commended the AG’s office for successfully administering such a substantial number of guest workers to assist StarKist Samoa and their workforce needs.
In order to remain in the program, every guest worker must show proof of full vaccination as defined by the Department of Health, they must renew their employment ID with the Immigration Office every year, and show proof that they are still residing with the host family.
