Government employees in American Samoa are being forced to work reduced hours from Monday because of an expected shortfall in federal funding.
Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
From Monday their eight hour day will be reduced to seven.
The governor Lolo Moliga has called an emergency meeting to discuss the reduction.
He said financial projections had been way off and he has not been able to get a clear picture of forthcoming federal grants from Washington.
Lolo said he has not been able to get a firm answer because many key positions in the Department of Interior have not been filled by the president Donald Trump.
He said after consultation with Fono leaders it's been decided to reduce employees' hours to cut expenditure in order to pay bills and continue vital services like health and education.