Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa’s largest private employer, StarKist Samoa Company has requested an additional 200 guest workers from Samoa.

This was confirmed by Acting Governor, Talauega Eleasalo Ale during a press conference last week.

He said the Admin is working with Star Kist Samoa to process their request and the Attorney General has agreed to work with the company to review their applications of guest workers and make sure that they comply with the guest workers statute.

Regarding the TalofaPass, which continues to be an issue for travelers from Samoa, Talauega said during the press conference they are looking into those options for getting some of their staff out there to assist the people, who are trying to enter American Samoa.

However they must comply with all the requirements.

“The TalofaPass doesn't really have anything to do with their entry permits and those types of things, so the TalofaPass is basically just a platform to do these things everybody who enters American Samoa still has to follow, the Attorney General's requirements, and those things can be difficult at times,” said Talauega.

Adding that “some of the frustrations that people are observing is, you know it's the usual problems that I faced when I was Attorney General. The fact is entering American Samoa is not easy, it’s never been easy,” said the Acting Governor.

 “We have immigration laws and requirements and the COVID 19 virus has added another layer of restrictions on, and so I ask people to be patient and work with us to make sure that we process their documents so that they can enter American Samoa,” said Talauega.

In April this year, the Government confirmed that a total of 772 Samoan citizens had been hired under the guest workers’ permit to work for StarKist providing opportunities to many families and individuals amid the pandemic.  

In the statement issued at that time, Attorney General Fainuulelei Ala’ilima-Utu reported that 906 block permits were issued for potential guest workers, and to date, 772 guest workers were approved and are working in the territory.