An unsuccessful candidate in last year's election for the America Samoa House of Representatives has pleaded with the governor not to cut the working hours of government employees who are minimum wage earners.
Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
Last week, the governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga announced the reduction of working hours from eight to seven hours per working day, effective today.
This means workers will be employed and paid for 70 hours every bi-weekly pay period instead of 80 hours.
The cuts were announced amid uncertainty over whether the territory would continue to get federal grants from Washington after the election of Donald Trump.
In an open letter to the governor, Su'a Lucia Bartley questioned whether it was morally ethical, justified, fair and honourable to cut the 10 hours from the minimum wage earners.
Su'a said this reduction in pay was nothing to the high-paid employee but it was a huge cut to the low income earners who make below $US20,000 per year.
Su'a asked Lolo to cancel or reduce the monetary gifts given to groups as well as teams participating in the long boat race on Flag Day.