Starkist Cannery wants 300 more workers from Samoa

Staff Reporters/

Apia, SAMOA – 5 December 2025: The Samoan Government is taking time to review the latest request from the American Samoa Starkist Cannery for 300 more workers as around 2,000 Samoan citizens are already employed as guest workers there.

The request was delivered by Star Kist President, Injoo Ha and senior company executives when they met with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt in American Samoa last weekend.

Laauli led Samoa’s delegation to the opening of American Samoa Legislature’s new Maota Fono.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister said that while Samoans should take advantage of the available opportunities, there is also the real concern about the rapid loss overseas of able and skilled manpower needed for Samoa’s own development.

Laauli commended and acknowledged Star Kist’s valuable contribution through employment opportunities which is one of the highest sources of remittances injected into Samoa’s economy.

Accommodation for employees
However, secured accommodation for Samoan guest workers at the Starkist cannery had been a longstanding issue that had impacted negatively on the workers boarding with families and relatives.

Star Kist has taken the initiative to build two new housing facilities to provide accommodations for Samoa’s guests workers.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa applauded he initiative and hinted at the Samoan government doing its part to provide housing for guest workers in the territory.

The Government is planning to build a new Consulate Office as well as accommodation where the guest workers can have secure boarding on the one acre of land at Tafuna donated by the American Samoa government.

The American Samoa government also has one acre of prime beachfront land at Taumeasina donated by the Samoan government.

Both governments want to utilize these properties for consular offices for ease and speed of communications, immigration matters, trade and other issues.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter in the two Samoa’s history,” said Laauli.