By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

AFTER listening to the speeches of government, business and community leaders, over 100 young people who attended the 5th Annual Youth Summit on Friday expressed support for a gradual minimum wage increase and opposition to the federalization of local immigration laws.
This year’s theme of the summit was “Taking Control of our Lives, Taking Control of our Future.”
“Upon hearing the points emphasized by our speakers, we agree with them that (federalization of the minimum wage and immigration) at this time will create more chaos among the citizens of the Commonwealth…it’s not the proper time,” Youth Congress senator Joseph Leong-Aguon said. “We agree that the minimum wage should be increased, but it should be done gradually and not because the U.S. wants us to do so…we should raise it ourselves.”
Former Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider, who was among the 10 panelists, said that lawmakers in the past had tried to raise the minimum wage but were not successful due to the consideration given to the garment industry.
“Every time the Legislature tried to do it, even for 10 cents or 50 cents, the garment industry appealed (and said) that it would be the death of the industry,” said Hofschneider.
“There has been no wage hike for the longest time, yet the garment industry here is dying,” Hofschneider said.
For Saipan International School senior student Henry Chan, it is the issue of federalization that worries him.
“Both my parents are alien and I am the only U.S. citizen in the family. Federalization may affect them and it really worries me…because this issue could mean that they might have to leave the CNMI,” he said.
Chan said he appreciates the remarks of the panelists.
“They have a lot of good points…and to have a better understanding about the minimum wage and federal immigration I have decided to do some research,” he said.
Other participants said that since the majority of them are graduating from high school, they were interested in issues about the workforce that they will soon be joining.
Regarding the issue of amending Article 12, most of the participants said they have yet to take a stand, but they favor a thorough and careful study on the cultural and economic impact.
Article 12 of the CNMI Constitution states that the “acquisition of permanent and long-term interest in real property within the commonwealth shall be restricted to persons of Northern Marianas descent.”
Besides Hofscheider, the summit’s guest speakers included Howard Willens, the governor’s special legal adviser; DFS president Marian Pierce-Aldan; and Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Juan T. Guerrero.
Lawmakers present included Senate Vice President Pete P. Reyes, Ind.-Saipan; House Minority Leader Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan; Reps. Candido B. Taman, R-Saipan; and Cinta M. Kaipat, Covenant-Saipan.