Camacho, who was yesterday’s speaker at the Rotary Club of Saipan meeting at the Hyatt Regency, also reiterated his opposition to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s recommendation to grant improved status to guest workers.
Interior, he added, “failed to have a meaningful consultation with the CNMI governor” before submitting its recommendation to the U.S. Congress.
He said 20 years ago, foreign workers supplemented and complemented the local workforce, but today, they have become the competition for jobless U.S. citizens.
“U.S. citizens in the CNMI are unemployed. They are lining up to get food stamps, and they want to work,” he said.
“The standard is not what foreign contract workers want or what they think they deserve because they have been in the CNMI for so many years,” Camacho said.
He noted that the U.S. does not have an open-door policy for foreign contract workers but instead limits their influx.
“The guiding principle of the CNMI as it relates to foreign contract workers is the same as the U.S., and that is whether there is a need for them,” he said.
Tough times
Camacho said the CNMI is facing its toughest economic situation in decades.
“The CNMI is in a period of painful economic transition, seeking a new economic model, and the future demands a special type of leadership,” Camacho said.
He said the congressional delegate should work with the CNMI government to address the federalization of immigration which affects three categories of foreigners: tourists, students and retirees; investors; and contract workers.
Camacho said the CNMI needs more tourists, foreign students and investors.
“We need to determine an acceptable level to maintain and attract foreign investors to the CNMI, and push for CNMI-only foreign investor legislation,” he said.
Other priorities
Camacho vowed to look into new industries and more federal grants.
He said the military buildup on Guam can be an economic engine for the CNMI.
The congressional delegate, he added, and CNMI leaders should work together to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impact of the military buildup and ensure that the U.S. military spends its money “outside the fence” by buying vegetables and fruits from local farmers, and using the power, water and sewer services of the local government.
He wants military money to remain in the CNMI economy and translate into jobs for the local people.
Camacho said the creation of a shipyard in the Lower Base is another potential economic engine that could bring in more jobs for U.S. citizens and a new source of revenue for the CNMI.
He considers the last two years as a “missed opportunity” and urges the people to vote for a candidate who can work together with CNMI leaders to ensure that the interests and concerns of the people are “united in one voice and one direction.”
Camacho is running against Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, Independent; former Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Republican; and former Lt. Gov. Jesus C. Borja, Democrat.
