Increased pay means increased level of service, Lemanu tells workforce

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With the government’s new pay increase, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga is telling the ASG workforce that he expects to see employees “demonstrating increased levels of professionalism and service” for the people they serve.

The governor’s message was outlined in his July 1st memorandum, titled — Adoption of New Pay Scale —  to cabinet members, that listed the new “pay plans” covering pay grades and step increments, adopted for career service employees.

“This pay plan will include a pay increase for most, if not all, ASG career service employees and along with that increase there will be increased expectations of employees,” the governor wrote, noting that the pay plans became effective July 1st.

“We work to serve the public and I expect an increased level of professionalism from our workforce,” he said, and outlined the pay plan, which includes a hike in entry level minimum wage along with raises for entry level degree holders.

Included in the degree category is Doctorate degree holders, with the starting pay of $50,233 per annum. (See Samoa News editions last Thursday and Friday for other pay issues.)

The governor explained that each career service employee on the white-collar or blue collar wage scale will have their pay adjusted. For example, if an employee makes less than the minimum wage — based on their educational level — their pay will be increased until their rate of pay exceeds the minimum wage — which is now $15,080 for white-collar and blue-collar employees and $15,432 per annum for “educator pay scales”.

According to the governor, any contract employee who makes less than the minimum wage, will have their pay adjusted up to the minimum wage.

In conclusion, the governor sent out a final message to the government workforce: “Employees, remember that with this increase in pay, I expect to hear from our people that ASG employees are demonstrating an increased level of professionalism and service.”

The governor said during the June 25th cabinet meeting that the pay hikes are covered by Special Programs funding, which is administered by the Governor’s Office. For the new fiscal year 2022, it’s included in the proposed final budget submission.

Samoa News is publishing the governor’s entire memo on pay plans to ensure that all workers understand their new pay scales. Click on attachment below to download.