Stimulus checks are getting the blame for worker shortages

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Gov. H. Rex. Lee Auditorium was packed with people waiting to receive their stimulus checks yesterday. The distribution location was for people who did not list a post office box on their tax returns, or did not sign up for direct deposit.

A COVID-19 vaccination shot was also part of the service if you wanted it — killing two birds with one stone. And, while they are not seen wearing masks in this line-up, Samoa News understands people were required to wear a mask before entering the fale lamei.

Employers, especially StarKist Samoa, are complaining about workers not showing up for work as they ‘spend’ their tax returns & stimulus checks. It has caused the cannery to go on a 10-day hiatus, unable to handle the production workload.