American Samoa's Governor Togiola Tulafono says even though the minimum wage increase has been signed into law, he will still seek assistance from Congress to help local businesses cope with increased costs.
Togiola says he will ask Congress if tax credits included in the recently signed bill can be extended to local companies.
The governor says that the government, not just businesses will be affected by the hikes.
He says if revenues drop because of job losses in the private sector, the government will also have to lay off workers.
Togiola also predicts that the cost of living will increase.
A bill which was signed by President Bush over the weekend increases the minimum wage by 50 cents in two months and 50 cents every year following until local wages have reached the federal wage rate of $7.25 an hour.
