Rabby Syed, United Workers Movement, NMI president, said they wanted to pursue the program initiated by Irene C. Tantiano, the group’s former president, to help guest workers with unpaid claims.
He said more than 100 guest workers with unpaid wages, and those with different labor problems have contacted them after their initial call last week.
This Saturday’s meeting at 6 p.m. at the Kilili Beach in Susupe is intended for a wide discussion on unpaid claims, immigration and labor issues, he said, adding that Dekada Movement’s legal counsel Steve Woodroff is their guest speaker.
Last year, Atty Robert Myers filed a class-suit by over 130 guest workers demanding the secretary of the Department of Labor to enforce the mandated law to collect employee’s unpaid wages from their employers or the bonding companies.
He said the group appreciated the effort of Myers and hope “he will continue assisting the guest workers.”
Syed said the Labor Office is only ensuring the displaced worker will be given the repatriation ticket without taking care of their unpaid claims.
“The meeting will discuss initiatives to protect workers who have monetary damages awards and ensure that unpaid workers are either paid in full or given other appropriate remedies under the law,” Syed said.
He said their group is consistent in protecting the contract workers’ rights and “this meeting would be an opportunity to do something substantive for contract workers in CNMI.”
Whatever outcome in the meeting, Syed said, they are also considering option of coordinating with Myers and other lawyers to initiate filing of class suit against the labor secretary.
He asked non-resident guest workers to bring their administrative order and other pertinent documents of their employment and immigration status in CNMI.
