Government officials say the Lolo Administration will be implementing, starting early next week, reduction in working hours - from 8 hours to 7 hours.

Reduction in working hours is the subject an emergency cabinet meeting underway this morning and called yesterday afternoon by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga.

The Governor’s Office is scheduled to release specific details on the proposed reduction of working hours later today.

At last week Tuesday’s usual cabinet meeting, Lolo told directors that based on financial information from Treasury and Budget Office, the government will face a $16 million deficit, if spending is not curbed.

Lolo, at the meeting, ordered that no director should be traveling off island paid for by the government and no overtime will be approved. (See Samoa News edition Apr. 4 for details.)

As word spread of the upcoming reduction of working hours, some employees are wondering if the government will still proceed with a full-fledged 2017 Flag Day Celebration, or scale it back, to just the annual Fautasi Race regatta.

See tomorrow’s edition for more details.