They are worried that their working permits could be revoked by the Department of Labor before most of their contracts expire in June this year.
A nurse, who declined to be identified, said she and her co-workers at the Rota Health Center are still reporting for work.
However, she added, they do not how long they can survive without their salaries.
“Most of us have families in our home country and we also need to feed them,” she said.
She noted the Department of Labor’s administrative order revoking all work permits issued to Saipan Employment Agency & Services Inc.
Eleven registered nurses at the Rota Health Center were hired by the government through SEAS.
Labor said all SEAS foreign workers affected by the order should register with the department to obtain transfer relief.
A temporary work authorization may be granted by Labor to the workers on a case-by-case basis in order to prevent any detrimental impact on public health, the department stated.
Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota and chairman of the island’s legislative delegation, said they already passed a bill appropriating $16,000 for the unpaid salaries of the nurses.
But the central government has yet to come up with $184,000 to settle its debt to SEAS.
