Joe Guerrero
THE Saipan Chamber of Commerce supports Senate Bill 23-57, which would clarify the duties and authority of the CNMI Department of Labor.
Following the enactment of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, which transferred CNMI immigration authority to the federal government, the former CNMI Department of Labor and Immigration was renamed CNMI Department of Labor, through Executive Order 2003-1.
According to S.B. 23-57, which was authored by Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, the reorganization of CNMI Labor has left the department’s statutory duties and authority undefined.
A former CNMI Labor secretary, she said her bill would clarify and define the duties and authority of CNMI Labor, its secretary and divisions. The department will then be “better equipped to address current and future labor and employment issues in the Commonwealth.”
S.B. 23-57 stated that CNMI Labor’s duties and responsibilities include fostering, promoting and developing the welfare of the local workforce as well as improving the working conditions in the Commonwealth.
The bill would also establish a CNMI Labor Revolving Fund and authorize the collection of fees, fines, penalties and monetary sanctions for violations of Commonwealth labor and employment laws.
In his letter to the Senate president, the chamber’s president, Joe C. Guerrero, said S.B. 23-57 “is the right step forward to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our labor department.”
He added that the chamber applauds CNMI Labor for its initiative toward streamlining services and operations. He said by revisiting its mandate, CNMI Labor “stands to significantly improve labor and workforce management within the region.”
