Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Members of both chambers of the Fono have been vocal this week about the termination of government employees by acting directors.

The issue was first raised by Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean during the official opening of the 39th Legislature on Monday at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium.

In his response to Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula's State of the Territory address, Tuaolo advised the governor to instruct acting directors to delay any personnel changes until they have been confirmed. He noted that some acting directors had already terminated the services of certain government employees and cautioned that those removed were constituents of lawmakers.

The following day, during the first regular session of the House of Representatives, three members raised the issue again.

Faipule Avagafono Vaimaga Maiava was the first to point out that one of his constituents had been removed from his position. Although Avagafono did not mention the constituent's name, it is understood that he was referring to Department of Commerce Assistant Director Victor Tuiasosopo, who is from his district. Acting Director Lina Petaia terminated the services of Tuiasosopo and another DOC Assistant Director, Michael McDonald.

The Sua Representative acknowledged that there might be a legal basis for the removals, but he felt that acting directors should not act hastily. He emphasized the pressure faced by employees whose services are abruptly ended, considering their responsibilities to their families, church, and village obligations. He pointed out that employees also have rights.

Avagafono moved that the House Speaker formally request the governor to advise acting directors to hold off on any personnel changes until they have been confirmed by the Fono.

Faipule Vailoata Amituana'i also expressed dissatisfaction with the removal of government employees by acting directors, stating that one of his constituents had been removed. He was referring to DOC Assistant Director Michael McDonald, a career service employee who was allegedly informed by email last Sunday that his services had been terminated.

Vailoata had stern words for acting directors making personnel changes without being confirmed by the Fono, warning them "to be careful."

Faipule Faimealelei Anthony Allen agreed that acting directors should consider the pressures of unemployment faced by employees with families to feed. He suggested that they should be assigned to different departments instead of firing them.

In the Senate on Wednesday, Tuaolo reiterated his advice, saying, “I want to advise acting directors not to remove employees. Be patient and wait until you have been confirmed.”

He stated that there had been more complaints from the public about employees whose services had been terminated. He later revealed that the Deputy Director of Health, Vesi Fautanu, had been fired.

On the same day in the House of Representatives, Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu, Jr. voiced his disappointment that some acting directors were not following the Senate President's advice.

"Last week, a son of Manu’a was removed from his job, and this week, the Acting Director of Health ended the services of another son of Manu’a," the disgruntled faipule from Manu'a said.

However, he mentioned that he needs to investigate the cause and would only respond once he sees documentation providing proof of the personnel action taken.

In the meantime, both chambers of the Fono unanimously passed concurrent resolutions adjourning the Legislature for a recess period that will begin at the close of business today, January 17, 2025, and reconvene at the opening of business on January 27, 2025.

Samoa News understands the recess stems from the new administration not submitting its appointments for directors for confirmation hearings and there is with no clear date given as to when they will begin.