Monday, Sept. 06 — Labor Day Holiday

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa joins the rest of the Nation today, Monday, Sept. 05 to celebrate Labor Day 2022 as Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga has declared a holiday in the territory.

“Labor Day is a time to honor and recognize the labor movement and all laborers for their contributions to the development and achievement of our great Nation,” Lemanu said in a Aug. 30 memorandum for Labor Day.

“I encourage you all to take time this weekend to honor and celebrate all working people of our Territory,” the governor said. “Thank you for all your hard work.”

With the declared holiday, all government offices are closed and normal activities are suspended today.

A majority of private businesses are also closed for the holiday, including the two banks but no information was available at press time as to whether or not StarKist Samoa — the largest private employer in the territory — is observing the holiday.

Still missing is the  ASG sponsored work-force day for all of the territory’s labor force. This event, which prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was held the last Friday of August proceeding the Labor Day holiday, was set up by the previous Lolo-Lemanu administration after it took office in January 2013. Over the years many ASG workers privatelly voiced their oppostion to the event saying they would rather enjoy the holiday without particiating in the large and hours-long gathering. As usual with many govt events, free food was offered as the incentive for attendance.

In observance of the Labor Day, Samoa News did not publish Monday and the office is closed. Have a safe Labor Day.