Tantiado, who heads the United Workers Movement, NMI, is also asking for the Department of Labor’s assistance in facilitating the release of the workers’ claims.
From the defunct Sako Corp. garment factory, she said, the claim for unpaid wages reached $1,087,337.33.
Sako stopped operations in March 2005.
The federal court already issued an order justifying the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s intent to seek back pay, lost wages, and compensatory damages, among other relief, against Sako.
Many guest workers are willing to leave the CNMI once they get their unpaid wages, Tantiado said. But she added that the former garment factories are hesitant to file with the Small Claims Court.
The number of guest workers seeking assistance is increasing everyday but they have yet to get any assurances from Labor, Tantiado said.
“I believe that the best solution is for DOL to order the bonding companies to pay,” she added.
Most of the displaced guest workers remain unemployed, particularly the former garment workers, and some have already returned back to their countries.
According to Tantiado, the United Workers Movement, NMI is still accepting administrative orders from guest workers who want to be included in the class suit which may be filed next month by attorney Robert Myers.
All administrative orders should be submitted on or before Sept. 30, Tantiado said.
She is inviting all displaced guest workers who have filed their administrative orders to attend a meeting on Saturday, Sept. 13, at American Memorial Park to discuss the class suit.
Tantiado said she is also asking Labor officials to meet with the guest workers regarding their unpaid wages and other complaints regarding the implementation of the new labor law, P.L. 15-108.
