PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) - The governor of American Samoa is traveling to Washington, D.C., in hopes of putting the brakes on federally mandated minimum wage increases in the U.S. territory.
Gov. Togiola Tulafono's office said Tuesday that he and other island leaders intend to present the White House with a petition with more than 12,000 signatures.
It calls on President Barack Obama to persuade Congress to roll back two of three 50-cent increases that have gone into effect since 2007. It also asks for the reinstatement of the Special Industry Committee process for determining minimum wages in the territory.
Tulafono says the federally mandated increases are hurting American Samoa's economy.
In American Samoa, minimum wage rates had varied by industry, ranging from less than $4 to just over $5.