Robert Myers, the lawyers of the guest workers, said they want to compel Labor to enforce the law.
Myers said Labor has not taken action to collect the workers’ unpaid wages from the employers or the bonding companies.
Labor, he added, is only interested in giving the displaced workers their repatriation tickets.
If an employer shuts down or declares bankruptcy, Myers said the bond company is supposed to pay the unpaid wages, unpaid medical expenses and the repatriation ticket.
“Why is Labor having a hard time going after the bond companies,” he asked.
The lawsuit, he said, should result in an inventory and accounting of all bond companies operating in the CNMI.
As of press time yesterday, there were 101 displaced workers entitled to monetary damages who had signed an agreement to join the lawsuit, Myers said.
More displaced workers, especially former garment workers, are coming to his office everyday, he added.
Irene N. Tantiado, United Workers Movement, NMI president, said her group will meet with workers who want to join the lawsuit from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Winchell’s Garapan staring today to Sunday.
Tantiado said guest workers who are scheduled to leave the island but still want to join can also submit their administrative orders and sign the agreement form before leaving the CNMI.
Myers said those who want to know more about the case may visit his office at Summer Holiday Hotel in Garapan or check his Web site www.Lwyr4u.com.
Based on his initial investigation, Myers said some bonding companies who have yet to pay his clients are still operating in the CNMI.
If the issue on unclaimed wages is not resolved, bonding companies will continue to receive money from guest workers even though these firm are not complying with the regulations, he said.
