Three faipule address subject of ASG employee increments
Three lawmakers are appealing to Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga to lift the suspension of salary increments for eligible government employees and to resume step-increments beginning in Fiscal Year 2015.
The House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) was introduced in the House yesterday morning, sponsored by Larry Sanitoa, Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i and Taotasi Archie Soliai. According to the HCR, in efforts to contain spending and provide stability to the American Samoa Government’s financial condition, the governor had ordered the suspension of step-increments for ASG employees in 2013.
It’s been reported that with the increase in revenue collections and the implementations of additional cost- saving measures, the government finances have improved dramatically compared to previous fiscal years.
During the FY2015 proposed budget hearings, it was projected that revenue collections will increase considerably and are an indication that the measures sacrificed for financial recovery may now be resumed.
The measures goes on to say this step-increment policy was created to reward government employees for their hard work and was conditioned on a positive review of their performance by supervisors and directors. “It was also anticipated to help lift office morale and provide an incentive for workers to strive for better annual evaluations.”
“As the moratorium continues, the original intended effect of increments wane and could be replaced by complacency and substandard performance. With the improved financial state of the government and projections of steady increase in revenues, it would be proper to resume salary increments for government employees.”
At issue was putting increments on hold while the director’s salaries were increased between $3,000 and $5,000, and this is something lawmakers were not happy with. During one of the budget hearings, Senator Laolagi Savali Vaeao pointed out that in the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2015, there was a change in director’s salaries.
For example, Laolagi said “the Treasurer’s salary was $70,000 and the current salary is now $73,000” according to the budget book. He noted that it’s disheartening that while increments are on hold, yet cabinet members are getting salary increases.
Laolagi asked the Budget Director if the directors are currently receiving this increase in their paychecks, and pointed out that these increases were not approved in the previous budget. Budget Director Catherine Dora Aigamaua Saelua told the Senators that to date, no director has received an increase in their paychecks, and that what’s indicated in the budget books, are proposed increases.
She pointed out that Governor Lolo has moved to add $5,000 to the directors’ salaries, although the budget book indicates varying increases for directors across the board, not a set amount.
Rep Faimealelei Anthony Allen said that if this increase goes through, ASG is looking at an additional $150,000, but he made it clear that he does not object to the increase.
The Budget Director again assured lawmakers that this increase has not yet been paid out to any director.