“As always, the governor supports free market labor policies that provide the best opportunities for businesses, workers, and economic growth,” Reyes said yesterday.
He said the CNMI Labor Department will continue to fairly enforce labor laws and regulations, affording due process to both employers and employees.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Reyes added, “believes we should all work together to address the adverse economic effects of the federalization law, so as to minimize the adverse impacts to workers and businesses, “ he said.
Reyes said the governor always respects the freedom of speech and the freedom of association.
The rally today, he added, only shows that the CNMI has a vibrant democracy that respects individual rights.
One of the organizers of today’s gathering, Ronnie Doca, Pilipino Contract Workers Association president, said they will have a peaceful rally.
“We will assign our own marshals to maintain order,” Doca said, adding that their group has already obtained a permit from the Department of Public Lands and American Memorial Park.
Doca said their aim to influence the federalization process, amend the federalization law, or U.S. P.L. 110-229, stabilize the workforce, push for a free labor market, seek benefits for businesses and workers and uphold the equality of local and foreign workers.
The group will also ask the CNMI government to protect families and children, recognize the guest workers’ years of service and contributions to the community, and rebuild the local economy.
Doca said the rally will be supported by different ethnic groups — Chinese, Bangladeshi, Korean, Sri Lankan and Nepalese.
