The Starkist Plant Director, Mr Injoo Ha and Management visited Samoa earlier in the week to establish partnerships with the Government of Samoa for the recruitment of about 1000 workers.
The intention is to utilize the established labour-sending units under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour and the newly established District Councils for recruitment mandated by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. Meetings were held with Leatinuu Wayne Fong (MCIL), Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, (MAF) and Leota Laki Lamositele (MWCSD).
Workers are recruited from Samoa under the special Guest Workers Program by the American Samoa Government (ASG) for Starkist. The current process entails open invitation by word of mouth/media for applications which are reviewed by the company.
The ongoing challenge is the inconsistent flow of workers, but the need remains for the high volume of production to meet market demands.
The group also met with the CEO of Shipping Services which operates Lady Naomi for Pago Pago and the Country Director of APTC, Lagaaia Easter Manila-Silipa that oversee the technical and vocational training that is also needed by the company.
The visit is a follow-up on labour mobility issues raised during the inaugural ‘Atoa o Samoa’ meeting in July 2022, between Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Hon. Lemanu Peleti Mauga administrations for increased cooperation.
Starkist delegation was accompanied by the Consul General, Fata Brian Kaio, Director of Agriculture, Solia Mutini and Chief Procurement Officer, Ti’alemasunu Dr. Mikaele Etuale.
Site visits to agricultural infrastructure were undertaken for the Ah Liki Group and Frankie Investments.
