Yesterday, Rabby Syed and other United Workers Movement officials talked to the guest workers lining up outside Labor to get their legal documents.
Syed explained to them that their status should be taken care of by the U.S. government now that local immigration has been federalized.
His group, he said, has been working continuously with federal officials, particularly those with legal knowledge.
Based on their legal advice, Syed said, guest workers without valid permits should no longer transact with CNMI Labor.
“I am encouraging them to go directly to the federal ombudsman,” he said.
In her blogspot, Florida-based human rights advocate Wendy Doromal urged CNMI guest workers not to report to the Department of Labor.
“If you have any questions call the federal ombudsman office,” she added.
Labor Deputy Secretary Cinta Kaipat said their office continues to entertain “unfinished business” with some guest workers who have to complete their deficiencies.
She said they still have the authority to manage the workforce until 2011.
Doromal said “it would be extremely helpful if a U.S. official could come out with some talking points on the umbrella permit and what authority, if any, that the CNMI DOL has over foreign contract workers.”
Attorney Jane Mack of the Micronesian Legal Services Corp. said guest workers should get legal advice or contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about their status before lining up at Labor.
Some of the guest workers who lined up were given another schedule to report back to Labor.
Those who obtained an extension were asked to pay $50 while some permits were revoked.
Ronnie Doca, United Workers Movement chairman, said it’s hard to convince guest workers not to deal with Labor because some of them need to have updated documents to present to the Women, Infants, and Children program for their monthly food subsistence.
“They are so confused right now,” he said.
