In a letter to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial dated Oct. 21, 2011, Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Douglas Brennan said businesses should not be held to a different standard than the government.
There are local and federal laws that determine eligibility for hiring foreign nationals, he added.
“As long as private business and local government strictly follow those rules, why is it necessary for any percentage hiring requirement in the first place?” he asked
The chamber, he added, believes that the government and the private sector should be released from the requirement or they should both be held to the same standard.
The chamber was requested to provide comments on House Bill 17-202, which is now on the governor’s desk.
Introduced by Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, H.B. 17-202 will allow qualified foreign nationals in the field of engineering to work for the technical services division of DPW.
Current law requires employers to make at least 30 percent of their workforce available for locals.
