12 Jan 2011

American Samoa's governor denies imminent job cuts

11:32 am on 12 January 2011

American Samoa's governor Togiola Tulafono's office has maintained that the governor has not make any final decision on whether or not to implement a reduction in working hours for government workers paid by local revenues.

This comes after government Treasurer Magalei Logovi'i told a meeting with businesses representatives yesterday afternoon that one of the ways that the government will save money on local revenues is a reduction of working hours to go into effect next week.

Magalei says once the furloughs begins, that will provide some money in the local revenue generated account to pay businesses who had provided services for the government, but are still waiting for payment.

However, the governor's director of communication Jacinta Galeai said late

yesterday afternoon that nothing has been issued affecting any reduction of

hours.

She says until the governor issues a memo, nothing is in effect.