Talk of nationalising American Samoa tuna cannery
Updated
Concerns have been raised by the American Samoa Government over the future operations of the island's biggest tuna cannery, StarKist. StarKist has not confirmed whether the company will sack employees, or close its operations altogether. However, the rumours are enough to worry the Local Government's Office of Samoan Affairs, which has already held a meeting to discuss the impact of the closure of StarKist on the people and the American Samoan economy.
Presenter: Kate McPherson
Speaker: Tufele Li'amatua, American Samoa's Secretary of Samoan Affairs
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KATE McPHERSON: In early May, tuna cannery Samoa Packing announcing it will close down its operations this September, leaving more than 2,000 people unemployed. Now government officials in American Samoa are raising concerns that the territory's largest cannery, StarKist, is also closing. Secretary of Samoan Affairs Tufele Li'amatua says the purchase of StarKist Tuna Cannery by the American Samoan Government was discussed as an option in a meeting of local government officials on Friday morning.
TUFELE LI'AMATUA: One recommendation was brought to my attention to submit to the government is for the American Samoa Government to take over StarKist. Well, now, that is a long shot. But, ah, as you can see we are now looking at all possibilities, even the possibility of owning the cannery or even trying to operate the cannery itself so we can keep our people's employment.
KATE McPHERSON: Mr Tufele says the announced closure of Samoa Packing is already concerning him, especially the effects on the local people and economy. He says the closure of StarKist will be an extra blow.
TUFELE LI'AMATUA: If StarKist is also leaving and that will be the case, it will be a tremendous blow to America Samoa's economy. And also socially, things are going to be extremely bad and difficult.
KATE McPHERSON: Mr Tufele says he is talking with leaders at the local level about other employment options for workers who will lose their jobs at the canneries.
TUFELE LI'AMATUA: We're working with the local farmers and village mayors and people in each village to start promoting agriculture and fisheries as replacements for employment with these canneries.
