By Haidee V. Eugenio
Variety Assistant Editor

SEVENTEEN of the estimated 36 alien workers and tourists arrested at the Rifu Apparel Corp. in April 2006 and found without legal employment contracts have been allowed to continue working until their pending cases and employment applications with the Department of Labor are resolved.
The five tourists who were found illegally working at the garment factory were denied transfer relief and were permanently barred from future employment in the CNMI.
Eight others had their work and entry permits revoked and their cases were referred to the Division of Immigration.
Six other workers whose work/entry permits were revoked asked to be allowed to voluntarily depart, and they have all left the CNMI.
One transferred to another employer under a one-year contract, while another one is allowed to work until his current labor status is determined.
The labor agency compliance case arose as a result of the execution of a search warrant issued in connection with Rifu Apparel executed on April 27, 2006.
“Approximately 31 alien workers and five tourists were arrested. None of these individuals were working with a Department of Labor-approved contract,” said Labor Hearing Officer Barry Hirshbein in a Feb. 8 administrative order.
They were among the 55 workers arrested during a raid at the Rifu Apparel and R&B Corp. in April 2006.
Labor identified several categories of individuals who were employed by Rifu Apparel without approved contracts.
These include persons with pending labor complaints, tourists, and individuals without status or otherwise working in clear violation of the Nonresident Workers Act and/or Alien Labor Rules and Regulations.
Hirshbein said many of the workers had pending labor complaints and had previously been issued a memorandum to seek temporary employment and were therefore eligible to seek temporary employment in the CNMI.
“The Department of Labor found that these workers were either misled by the employer or misunderstood the temporary work requirements. The department found that the workers were not equally at fault in this matter,” said Hirshbein.
In his three-page administrative order, Hirshbein allowed 17 of these workers to continue to seek temporary employment while their cases are pending with Labor.
“Their transfer rights will be determined in those cases,” said Hirshbein.