Cannery in American Samoa Not Hiring Till Later 2013

Samoa Tuna Processors says its hiring for its new fish processing plant in American Samoa will not happen until the 3rd quarter of next year.

Alfonso Pete Galeai told the Senate Budget and Operations Committee they plan to hire more than 1,000 workers next year.

He was being questioned on projections in the new fiscal year budget for the American Samoa Government of increased tax revenues due to hiring at the canneries.

But Alfonso says the hiring will depend on market demand and when the renovations for the plant at Atu’u will be completed.

“There will be significant substantial hiring and training of the workforce in 2013 but this probably won’t occur until in the second half of 2013.”

After hearing the timing of the hiring, senators agreed that the projections in the proposed budget for the government from increased hiring at the canneries may not be realized until the following fiscal year.