Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — StarKist Samoa Co. with the aid of ASG welcomed over 700 Guest Workers within the first year of the Lemanu-Talauega Administration.

A press released issued by the governor’s office yesterday noted that on Monday April 25, Attorney General Fainu’ulelei Ala’ilima-Utu reported that a total of 906 block permits have been issued for potential guest workers, and a total of 772 guest workers had arrived in the territory.

Of those who have arrived seven were not employed — two were returned to Samoa immediately, and 5 of the workers have had their sponsorship terminated by StarKist. This leaves 765 guest workers who 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.

 “Your visionary and courageous leadership has allowed StarKist Samoa to continue to operate before and after the COVID-19 community spread... it has provided employment opportunities to over two thousand (2,000) employees, and opportunities for many supporting businesses…” the Attorney General said in praise of the administration’s move.

 In his response, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga siad, “On behalf of Lieutenant Governor Talauega, we applaud you and Chief Immigration Officer Fagamalama Fualaau 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 their host family.