The American Samoa tuna industry wants to recruit 200 qualified guest workers from Samoa to work as fish Cleaners. 

Under the American territory’s guest worker permit program, only those of Samoan ancestry from Samoa are hired under this program, which was reactivated last month due to a labour shortage crisis. 

The public notice, which was issued recently by Starkist, says the candidates should be “honest, skilled, able-bodied and hard working”. 

Early this month, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi welcomed the American Samoa Government’s decision to reactivate the guest worker permit program. 

He said the relationship between Samoa and the American territory is mutual and the partnership between the two governments will always benefit the two neighbours.

“There are times American Samoa needs us and vice versa and also American Samoa is fortunate enough to have the United States of America, the richest country in the world,” he said.

The notice, which targets Samoa citizens, says that a guest worker is a person of Samoan ancestry born in Samoa who is granted authorization to enter and remain in American Samoa for purposes of employment at the fish canneries only. 

They are required to have a valid passport minimum with a 1 year before expiry; birth certificate (certified copy); Samoa Police clearance (original); Samoa Medical Clearance (original); ASG LBJ Medical Clearance; ASG Court Clearance; local host affidavit (as required by law) process; and be between the ages of 19-45. 

Furthermore, local residents willing to become a host for the guest worker are asked coordinate and provide the above documentation to the Starkist Samoa human resources office for review and verification. 

Starkist Samoa will review and verify the documentation, and forward to the ASG Immigration Office for proper vetting. Once approved by the ASG Immigration Office, Starkist will schedule an in-person interview in Apia on a date and time to be scheduled, on an appointment-only basis.

The recruitment process will be limited to the first 300 applicants received. Final initial selection will be for 200 guest workers. No Phone calls will be accepted and Starkist Samoa said reserves the right to reject any application received for this program.