American Samoa grateful for minimum wage increase delaying bill

American Samoa’s Governor says he is very grateful to President Obama for signing federal legislation delaying minimum wage increases for the Territory this year and next.

The measure also delays minimum wage hikes for the Northern Marianas for 2011.

Togiola Tulafono says American Samoa has been spared another major disaster, even if its just for only two years.

He says he will continue to work with American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin and the U.S. Congress to design a permanent solution for this issue.

Togiola says the minimum wage issue has made it impossible to attract investments because of the uncertainty it has created and he truly welcomes the two year suspension.