American Samoa wants more control over changes to the territory's minimum wage.
Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
Last year, governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga said a series of federally mandated increases to wages would make American Samoa more reliant on the US.
The increases were also highlighted in a report this month from the territory's Commerce Department which warned of a potential economic disaster.
A planner with the department, Michael McDonald, said the wage changes won't be rolled back but they will be reviewed.
"What the local government and leadership would like to see happen on the minimum wage front is to allow for the territory to have more control over any increases using local input and local data to make more sensible decisions when it comes to the minimum wage."
Michael McDonald said American Samoa is also looking to invest in new industries to diversify its economy.
