Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Executive branch directors are all included in the governor’s directive that reduces working hours from 8 to 7 hours a day. And the directive also includes ASG semi autonomous agencies, which are overseen by their respective boards of directors.

During an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, Lolo made the official announcement about the reduction of working hours, effective Monday, Apr. 10. Not included in the reduction of hours are doctors, nurses, teachers and other in-school personnel.

The governor also noted in the meeting that he and Lemanu are included in the reduction, which will continue to the end of the third quarter of FY 2017 (which ends June 30). At that time, the situation will be reassessed. The governor is however optimistic it can move to a 75-hour biweekly pay period for the fourth quarter — which starts July 1. 

Since the word spread Wednesday about the reduction of hours and up to yesterday morning, Samoa News received so many comments, including questions as to whether the governor’s directors and semi autonomous agencies — specifically the American Samoa Power Authority, LBJ Medical Center and the American Samoa Tele Communications Authority — are included in the reduction of hours.

Samoa News asked a senior staff member at the Governor’s Office, yesterday, if “directors are exempted”, and the answer was, “Directors are not exempt.”

Asked about the amount the government is expecting to save — per pay period or per month — the senior staff member said, “Savings per pay period, if Fono and Judiciary join in, will amount to $239,688.”

 “This [savings] does not include the Authorities, but it does include the enterprise funds,” the senior staff member said. (The Enterprise Fund includes the authorities as well as budgets of executive branch offices such as the Airport Division, Industrial Park, ASG Print Shop, and Sports Complex.)

The senior staff member also emphasized that that the executive branch “cannot mandate other branches of government (Fono and Judicial) wages and hours.”

Based on information Samoa News received yesterday from senior Fono staffers, all Fono personnel, “excluding lawmakers”, will be included in the reduction of hours as called by the governor.

At yesterday’s Senate session, when the issue was raised, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie explained that he and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale had met with the governor, who provided information on the move to reduce working hours in the executive branch.

However, he said the governor made clear that the executive had no authority over the operation of the Fono, a separate branch of government.

Gaoteote said he and Savali had their discussion and will make a decision on Fono employees, who all come under the direction of the Fono leaders. However, he said the issue — referring to salaries — for senators and faipule is beyond their authority, as the law sets lawmakers’ salaries.

Some senators suggested for them to be included in the reduction of hours as part of the Fono’s help in assisting the government. In the end, senators approved a verbal motion, for Gaoteote to discuss the issue with the House Speaker.

Gaoteote made clear that the approved verbal motion does not involve anything relating to cutting hours for lawmakers.

While the semi autonomous agencies are included in the reduction of hours, the senior staff member at the Governor’s Office pointed out that “they also have to manage their revenue stream. For example, if projected revenues are down 15% they have to manage expenses down [by] 15%, which may or may not include reduction in hours.”

ASTCA board chairman, Roy J.D Hall Jr., confirmed yesterday to Samoa News “ASTCA will be reducing hours for all employees and contract workers next week.”

When former Gov. Togiola Tulafono implemented a reduction of working hours in February 2011 for the executive branch, it also included the governor, lieutenant governor, and all cabinet directors.

At the time, Togiola ordered the reduction of working hours — based on salary levels. For example, four hours were reduced for those earning less than $10,400 up to $20,800 per pay period, while those earning above $62,400 would have 12 hours deducted.