He said he has also been reaching out to the CWs from other ethnic groups with similar concerns.
Islam said they are disappointed to learn from the CNMI Department of Labor that according to the U.S. DOL, workers with CW-1 permits are not eligible for PUA benefits.
“It really hurts because like everyone else on island, CWs have also been affected by the Covid-19 crisis,” he said, adding that his company which provides marine sports activities furloughed about 20 CWs.
The federal government should “not discriminate” against tax-paying and law-abiding workers who are also part of the local economy, he added.
