that cried out for attention. What I knew back then about the challenges confronting guest workers was pitifully small — even though I had lived here since early 1997.
I was elected president of the Coalition in April and it has been a tough three months because there are so many things for us to do and so little time. The consolation is knowing that each day brings an opportunity to help. The support and assistance we get from people in the local and federal governments, the Philippine consulate and even some churches makes the journey smooth sailing.
So far, some of the issues we have tackled are:
1. Insolvent, undercapitalized bonding companies about which a meeting with Senate President Pete Reyes, Sen. Frica Pangelinan and the Department of Commerce was held to discuss how the guest workers with unpaid wages may be assisted.
2. Employers failing to comply with the required minimum wage.
3. Need to inform the guest workers of new Department of Labor regulations.
4. Food stamps
5. Questions about federal stimulus checks
6. Need to educate guest workers about P.L. 15-108, the new labor law
7. Educating guest workers about U.S. P.L. 110-229, the federalization law.
In addition, the coalition has been asked to raise funds to help Filipinos. We help make the right connections so people can get assistance. We have a reliable network of solid sources of sound information. Because of the large number of people coming to us with questions or seeking assistance, we decided to have a coalition officer sit alternately at Winchell’s Garapan and Winchell’s Susupe from 8:30 p.m. to, sometimes, 11 p.m. to be available to talk to people.
The worst case we have heard about and dealt with was the rape of a woman. Hearing a victim describe it was shocking.
Two of the most memorable incidents involved illegal recruitment — one involving a Chinese woman and the other involving five Filipinos. When we met with the Chinese woman, she was in tears. Like many others on Saipan, she had been betrayed by a “friend” who illegally recruited her and took her passport. The day her case was resolved, she called us and said, “Thank you, thank you” again and again.
Last week, three of the five illegally recruited guest workers left for Manila. Earlier on, we met with one of them and he told us their sad story. We managed to find an organization willing to provide food supplies. Days later, they contacted us to ask how they could find an attorney to help them. We contacted the Micronesian Legal Services and they gave us an appointment.
Unfortunately, we could only do so much. We hoped they would follow through the legal process — but on their own. They decided to just go back home. We learned that their decision was influenced by the tragic decision of the local Department of Labor to deny their request to renew their temporary work authorization.
In the days to come, we expect to see a ballooning increase in the number of guest workers in need of protection and assistance. Our priority will be to find ways guest workers can get honest, clear answers to their questions. We will continue to offer solutions and bring issues that affect us to public attention.
Time and again, our plea has been for the acceptance of the guest worker as partner — not as a threat. In one of the recent public hearings, someone used the word “co-exist.” That can happen if we all contribute to the eventual recovery of the CNMI economy and the restoration of faith in the integrity of the local government. We can all work to make the restoration process work effectively — here in the islands and in Washington.
United we stand!
IRENE N. TANTIADO
Capital Hill, Saipan
