Minimum Wage In American Samoa 2007

This Economic Report provides objective economic data useful to determine minimum wages in American Samoa. After World War II, only Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa still used a Committee system to set separate industry wage minimums. Today, such a system of wage setting is restricted to American Samoa. Contents: Information on American Samoa Geography, History, Culture, Gov¿t., and Economics; The Tuna Processing Industry; American Samoa Wage Structure; The American Samoa Minimum Wage -- Fair Labor Standards Act Requirements; Economic Factors for Consideration That May Favor or Weigh Against Minimum Wage Increases; Appendices. Charts and Tables.

This Economic Report was prepared for the use of American Samoa Industry Commission to provide objective economic data useful to the Commission in its task of determining minimum wages in American Samoa. Contents: Introduction; Information on American Samoa Geography, History, Culture, Government, & Economics; The Tuna Processing Industry; American Samoa Wage Structure; The American Samoa Minimum Wage -- FLSA Requirements; Economic Factors for Consideration That May Favor Minimum Wage Increases& Economic Factors for Consideration That May Weigh Against Minimum Wage Increases. Charts & tables.

In 2007, the U.S. enacted a law incrementally raising the minimum wages in Amer. Samoa and the Commonwealth of the N. Mariana Islands (CNMI) until they equal the U.S. minimum wage. Amer. Samoa¿s minimum wage increased by 50¢ three times, and the CNMI¿s four times before legislation delayed the increases, providing for no increase in Amer. Samoa in 2010 or 2011 and none in the CNMI in 2011. Recent economic declines in both areas reflect the closure of one of two canneries in Amer. Samoa and the departure of the garment industry in the CNMI. This report describes, since the increases began: (1) employment and earnings; and (2) the status of key industries. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.