Rep. Tina Sablan, who inducted the officers, urged the group’s members to join the rally that will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Garapan Fishing Base.
“We need to be organized,” said Sablan, Ind.-Saipan.
The group’s officers are Irene N. Tantiado, president; Rabby Syed, vice president; Simon Sin, vice president-external; Janet Curioso, secretary; Rabikul Islam, treasurer; and Evelyn del Mundo, auditor.
The board of directors is composed of Ronnie Duca, Jimmy Cruz, Jun Lacanilao and Edgar Caras.
In his short message to the group, Rep. Edward T. Salas, R-Saipan, said they need strength, faith and courage.
Attorney Rober Myers Jr., who filed the lawsuit to collect the workers’ unpaid wages, reiterated that the Department of Labor should compel bonding companies to release the money owed to the workers.
He said million of dollars have remained uncollected because the Department of Labor didn’t exert effort to demand bonding companies to fulfill their obligations to the workers.
Angelo Villagomez, CNMI coordinator of the Pew Environment Group, said the proposed creation of the marine monument in the waters surrounding the northern islands of Uracus, Maug and Asuncion is “great for the economy and environment” of the CNMI.
Villagomez, in an interview, said Division of Fish and Wildfire Director Sylvan O. Igisomar will meet with key CNMI officials, including Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Senate President Pete Reyes, R-Saipan, to discuss he marine monument proposal.
President Bush earlier said that there should be a dialogue with stakeholders of the CNMI regarding the proposal.
In her message to the group, Tantiado said she is renewing her commitment not only to her fellow guest workers but to all CNMI workers who want to join their movement.
The group’s members are from the Filipino, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Korean, Sri Lankan and Korean communities.
“I am standing in front of you with a different perception of the true meaning of being guest workers in CNMI,” she said. “And just as I embraced the changes, I have also learned to accept the challenges that came with them — some were apparent and some came as life’s surprises, some good, some heartbreaking.”
