Governor Togiola Tulafono did not mince words during his radio talk show last Saturday, over his feelings about Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin supporting the raise of minimum wage.
Togiola said that what the Congressman is trying to do, to raise just the starting rates without affecting other pay rates, is both selfish and dishonest. He said that the only time Faleomavaega communicates with the local community is when election is around the corner. But once election is over and he’s back in the office, then the Congressman is never seen or heard from again.
The governor expressed his disappointment in some comments by the congressman that have been printed in newspapers (he didn’t specify which newspaper), urging people in the States to stop buying tuna cans that are sold by Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea (COS) companies.
Togiola stated that if Faleomavaega is against these tuna cans, then he is against the tuna cans that are packed and sold by our local canneries, and it will have a great impact on our local canneries, if people are taking his advice.
In regards to the minimum wage issue, Togiola stated that Faleomavaega’s campaign to raise just the starting wage, is a lie, because you cannot raise just the starting wages, without affecting other wages.
Togiola said a local businessman approached him last week about this issue, because of some statements the Congressman made that were printed in a local newspaper.
The governor said that Faleomavaega pushing for another raise on the minimum wage, goes against what the local government is working to accomplish. He said that the local government is asking Congress to help find another solution that can help American Samoa’s economy and hold off the raising, again, of minimum wages.
Togiola said if problems should arise in the future, regarding their jobs, then they need to contact the Congressman for he is the one that is pushing another minimum wage raise.
He said he believes that the reason Faleomavaega is doing this, is because the congressman is not getting good advice from the community.
Togiola said that during the congressional hearing where he testified two weeks ago, Faleomavaega uttered these words “I support what the governor saidâ€, four times. But by his publicized comments, it shows that he is not being honest.
The governor told the local community to counsel their congressman to pick a side -not have one foot in Washington and another foot here in American Samoa, only because he needs voters.
Togiola also stated that this issue is not so different from the ASPIRE issue, which the Congressman tried to push in Washington right before the last election and yet, when the elections were over, when asked about the ASPIRE bill, the Congressman said that he does not control Congress’ feelings. Togiola said the same thing will happen once this election is over.
