Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — StarKist Samoa wants to recruit 200 qualified guest workers from Samoa to work as fish Cleaners. This was confirmed by Chairman of the COVID-19 Task Force, Lt. Talauega Eleasalo Ale during a press conference with the media this week.

Talauega said the cannery has requested 200 workers to help alleviate a labor shortage. ASG has given authorization for the guest worker program to be used to recruit workers from Samoa to fill this need.

Talauega said the Attorney General and his staff are now tasked with fulfilling the request and making sure everyone meets all the requirements.

The Task Force chairman further stated that a ‘guest worker permit’ is only permitted at this time for two industries — canneries and call centers.

“StarKist Samoa has requested workers under the ‘guest work permit’ and the government’s duty is to grant the request and start the process to make sure the needs of StarKist Samoa are fulfilled,” Talauega said.

Attorney General Fainuulelei Ala’ilima-Utu stressed that regulations now in place under the emergency declaration for COVID are designed for the protection of the territory.

Ala’ilima-Utu says the regulations for COVID-19 tests — quarantine periods and proof of vaccination are based on recommendations of medical personnel.

From the time that borders were closed, all entry permits were suspended. However in the latest COVID declaration there’s an exception for entry permits for guest workers for the cannery and for workers at a call center.

StarKist Samoa has faced a worker shortage since early this year and during the governor’s meeting last month with cannery officials, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga approved the Guest Worker Program as an option when StarKist needs to recruit more workers from Samoa.

According to the Task Force’s schedule, inter-Samoa flights are to reopen in mid July.

Talauega said only American Samoans, and those authorized by the government to enter, will be allowed to travel on the flights. He said health authorities are still assessing entry requirements to ensure that no one with the COVID-19 virus enters.

The main message promoted at the press conference by the Task Force Chairman, doctors and the Attorney General was to get vaccinated so that if the virus gets to the territory, everyone will be protected. The LBJ Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Iotamo Saleapaga urged those who say they don’t need the vaccine because God will protect them — should reconsider. He said along with faith in God, residents should also act for the protection of themselves and others. “Faith without works is not pleasing to God,” he said.

Attorney General Ala’ilima Utu said the vaccine was a Godly gift and people should take advantage of it because it’s the only protection from the deadly virus.