NEWSROOM: 10 February - 23 February 2008

Plans to ban political hoardings in American Samoa
23 February 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

The Election Commissioner in American Samoa, Soliai Tuipine, wants to prohibit all political bill boards and signs from being displayed in public even on privately owned land.

He says campaign signs have caused fights and disputes between families and villages in past elections.

Soliai says candidates have other means to get their message to voters such as media advertising.

But to maintain peace during campaigns he favours a complete ban on the display of all polticial signs.

He says not one election year has been free of disputes between families and supporters of different candidates over campaign signs.

Three U.S. Senators favour deferring another 50 cent increase in Am. Samoa
21 February 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

At least three U.S. Senators are in favour of deferring another 50-cent increase in American Samoa’s minimum wage, to avoid what they have describe as economic disaster.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources scheduled a hearing for next week on the impact of the minimum wage increases on American Samoa and CNMI.

The committee’s, Bill Wicker, says CNMI’s Governor and its Washington Representative and Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, as well as other officials will testify.

He says the committee has not taken a formal position on this issue.

But Chairman Jeff Bingaman, Hawaii senators Daniel Akaka , Daniel Inouye and Faleomavaega have sent a letter to several other senators saying the next increase would cause serious damage.

American Samoa has said its tuna industry, which is a major source of revenue for the local government, cannot sustain another wage increase this year.

The CNMI is also asking the U.S. Congress to defer the implementation of the wage hike law in the CNMI.

Congressman Faleomavaega has introduced a bill which would remove the escalator provision in the wage law.

Visitors' Bureau bill on hold in fono
19 February 2008 - Source: Pacific Magazine

Senators want answers from administration of Gov. Togiola Tulafono before they act on a bill to establish a semi-autonomous American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau.

The administration has asked for expedited consideration and approval of the measure, which has already passed the territorial House of Representatives.

Senator Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson said the Fono’s legal counsel, Henry Kappel, has raised several questions about the administration measure.

Among them is how the visitor’s bureau will be funded. Also said the only provision cited in the bill is to transfer all funds and employees from the Office of Tourism to the new agency, but the legislation is silent on continued funding.

The Senate also wants more information on the bureau’s proposed board of directors and the required quorum to conduct meetings and the use of its own legal counsel. Also questioned is a provision that allows the bureau to purchase real estate, similar to that of other semi-autonomous agencies such as the American Samoa Power Authority and the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority.

Also said it was not clear whether the bureau is allowed to establish its own banking accounts with oversight of the Executive Branch or if the agency’s financial management is independent of the administration.

Togiola administration and private sector witnesses told a House hearing two weeks ago that they support the measure in an effort to improve tourism industry in American Samoa.

The Senate Economic Development Committee called a hearing on Wednesday but three top government officials, including the governor’s legal counsel didn’t show up. Also asked to attend was Chamber of Commerce President David Robinson, who said Thursday he didn’t receive any notification of the hearing.

Senate President Lolo M. Moliga said he was disappointed the government officials didn’t show up. The visitors’ bureau measure is on hold until lawmakers return March 10 following a three week recess.

A senior government official, who asked not be identified, told Pacific Magazine today that there was never any intention by the administration to ignore this bill. “I believe it was just a miscommunication of witnesses to testify. Nothing more and the administration hopes the Senate will approve the bill when they reconvene next month,” said the official.

Chairman George Miller to send staff to review minimum wage hearing
17 February 2008 - Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega

Congressman Faleomavaega announced on Friday that in a letter dated February 14, 2008 he informed Chairman George Miller of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, that he has introduced H.R.5154, a legislation to amend the federal minimum wage law. The proposed amendment will condition further increases in minimum wage applicable to American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) on a determination by the Secretary of Labor that such increases will not have an adverse impact on the economies of American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Congressman Faleomavaega’s letter was copied to Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman Nick Rahall of the House Committee on Resources, Congressman Don Young, Ranking Member on House Committee on Resources, Chairwoman Donna Christensen of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Governor Benigno Fitial of CNMI, Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa, Senate President Lolo Moliga and Senators of the Fono, and Speaker Savali Ale and Representatives of the Fono. A complete text of the letter is included below:

Dear Chairman Miller,

On January 25, 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its report on the impact of increased minimum wages in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The study was undertaken in response to Public Law (P.L.) 110-28 which increased minimum wage by fifty cents per hour in American Samoa and CNMI on July 24 and July 25, 2007, respectively. P.L. 110-28 also mandated an automatic increase, or escalator clauses, of fifty cents per hour every year thereafter until 2014 for American Samoa, and 2015 for CNMI.

While I supported a one-time increase of fifty cents per hour for American Samoa’s cannery workers and lowest-paid government employees making less than $5.15 per hour, I opposed escalator clauses which I believed would be detrimental to both economies. As you may know, the DOL report concludes that “neither Chicken of the Sea nor StarKist has reduced output or working hours in immediate response to the first fifty-cent increase in the minimum wage”, and I am pleased by this outcome.

Regarding automatic increases, or escalator clauses, every year thereafter, the report also supports what I have said from the outset. Our economy cannot afford automatic increases in minimum wage. Automatic increases could lead to the closing of both canneries which would devastate the local economy “resulting in massive layoffs and insurmountable financial difficulties.”

According to the DOL, when our canneries go, their closure will have a ripple effect on our economy and could amount to a loss of 7,825 jobs. Given that the United States Territory of American Samoa lies 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii, covers a land area of 76 square miles, has a population of almost 70,000 and a per capita income of $4,300 per year, American Samoa cannot afford, at this time, to lose either cannery until such time as it can diversify its economy.

This is why I have introduced H.R. 5154 to end automatic increases, or escalator clauses. I am also working to extend 30A tax benefits. Even though I believe our canneries will one day depart despite these incentives, it is important for American Samoa to give its tuna canneries every reason to stay until the time comes for them to move elsewhere.

I also believe it is important to help CNMI protect its economy, and H.R. 5154 would do this. If passed, H.R. 5154 would empower the DOL, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the governments of American Samoa and CNMI, to conduct economic assessments every two years to determine when and if our economies can absorb future increases.

I want to convey my personal thanks to you for sending two professional staff members from your Committee to the field hearing being held on the economic effects of the recently increased minimum wage. The field hearing is being held at my request by the House Resources’ Subcommittee on Insular Affairs and will take place in American Samoa on February 22, 2008.

Congressman Faleomavaega concluded his letter by stating “After your staff returns from the field hearing, I am hopeful that we can review the matter and work together to resolve the serious issues that now confront the economic conditions of both American Samoa and CNMI.”

Event Polynesia to market and promote Toa Samoa RLWC campaign
15 February 2008 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Samoa Rugby League has announced the appointment of Event Polynesia to market and promote Toa Samoa for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, to be held in Australia starting in October. The arrangement includes marketing, promotion and fundraising, starting as soon as possible and includes all commercial arrangements from now up to and after the Rugby League World Cup. Details of the partnership are yet to be finalised, but the two parties are keen to work together for the betterment of Toa Samoa’s World Cup Campaign and commercial arrangements going forward.

“We are so delighted to be working with Event Polynesia for the World Cup and going forward" said SRL President Mr Peter Paul.

Toa Samoa RLWC Fundraising will kick-off in mid April with corporate fights pitching rugby league legends against those from other sports. It will also include fights between corporate professionals pitching CEO’s of the public and private sector against one another. This will be the first time for corporate Samoa to enjoy corporate fights, including wining and dining and cheering on a professional partner, while at the same time, contributing to and fundraising for Toa Samoa’s Rugby League World Cup campaign.

“It is such a relief for us to bring in a professional event company to take care of marketing and commercial matters whilst we concentrate on the administration side of things for the World Cup” said SRL Secretary General Fritz Tuiavii.

The local Samoa Rugby League competition kicks-off in early April, with trials set for July and the World Cup squad to be finalised in August. With the high interest and participation of our premier Samoan professional rugby league stars from all over the world, Toa Samoa stands a very positive chance to make the Semi Finals of the World Cup.

Nortel Boosts Bandwidth Power of Blue Sky Communications Network
13 February 2008 - Source: CNNMoney.com

Blue Sky Communications, the wireless service provider for American Samoa, is using All-IP Voice Core solutions from Nortel to provide new, operationally efficient communication services across this island territory of the U.S. By evolving to All-IP, Blue Sky Communications can extend the speed and bandwidth power of its existing wireless network to ensure the 55,000 people of this South Pacific island have access to the latest mobile broadband services.

As well as providing the foundation for a range of new services, Nortel's All-IP product line will help Blue Sky Communications reduce costs by consolidating and simplifying how the network delivers these services, making it easier to manage and maintain. As a result, Blue Sky Communications can support the explosion in user demand for new communication services being driven by Hyperconnectivity - a global trend where anything that can be connected, will be. With an All-IP network, Blue Sky Communications can easily and cost-effectively deliver services that are rapidly increasing in demand throughout the island - services like VoIP, video and online gaming.

"Nortel understands that service providers with a limited subscriber base like Blue Sky Communications can find it challenging to meet customer demand for higher broadband mobile services while keeping fees at a level customers can afford," said Graham Richardson, general manager, GSM Networks, Nortel. "That's why we focused our innovation on creating an All-IP product line that helps keep operational costs down and makes it simple for service providers to boost the power of their existing network."

"Blue Sky Communications prides itself on having one of the most complete and modern telecommunications systems within the South Pacific Islands," said Jeff Harlow, chief operating officer, Blue Sky Communications. "Now, using the carrier-grade IP network made possible by Nortel's All-IP product line, we can support advanced, broadband wireless applications and continue providing the world-class service our customers have come to expect."

Blue Sky Communications is using Nortel's MSC Server and Home Location Register (HLR), which use commercial-off-the-shelf ATCA technology to support GSM/UMTS Voice. In addition, Blue Sky Communications uses Nortel's Media Gateway to transform TDM voice, a legacy networking technology, to VoIP. These products are compliant to R4 standards, which is a release of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). These products can reduce the cost of operation by enabling more efficient use of transmission capacity and reducing the amount of network equipment required to support wireless services on a platform that will provide a simple evolution path to 4G.

Nortel has all the elements needed to bring carriers successfully into the 4G world: innovation in WiMAX and LTE, a strong ecosystem, all IP-core, and a deep understanding of what consumer and business users are looking for from their wireless experience. Nortel has successfully deployed R4-compliant network equipment for both GSM and UMTS core network applications since 2005. These products provide the foundation for evolving to 4G networks.

About Nortel:

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.
 

Minimum wage increases will force canneries closure
11 February 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

The two largest private employers in American Samoa, the canneries, Star Kist Samoa and Samoa Packing, say they will be forced to close if they have to comply with a federal regulation lifting the minimum wage.

The federal law requires wages to increase by 50 cents an hour annually until the mainland level of $7.25 is reached.

The canneries employ about 5000 workers and the Human Resources Manager of Samoa Packing, Alphonso Pete Galeai, says high labour costs have undermined the profitability of tuna canning in American Samoa.

He says the increased wages have decreased their ability to compete with foreign tuna companies in Thailand, Ecuador, Mexico and Papua New Guinea.

Galeai said that the canneries closure would devastate the economy, leading to the loss of 40 percent of all employment in the territory.

Star Kist’s General Manager Brett Butler says the annual 50 cent hikes have created more uncertainty in the canneries future against the backdrop of increasing competition from foreign tuna producers.

He says Star Kist supports legislation introduced by Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin which would remove the escalator provision in the wage law.
 

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