scandal, lobbied Washington against the first minimum wage hike here (FIFTY CENTS) in a decade, and their members have exploited foreign workers while local Chamorro and Carolinians were unemployed.
There is no need for a two-year transition umbrella and this regulation is poorly thought out. Rep. Tina Sablan proposed a five year-transition proposal, which may not have been perfect, but was much better for the community and the guest workers than this. This Fitial administrations last minute regulation takes much burden off the employer without offering employment opportunity for the worker. As a layman, I can’t advise individuals on legal issues, but I would not sign such a document. This plan may also allow illegal business operators to ride our train another two years, which would be a terrible economic mistake for Saipan.
The reason they (meaning the chamber and Governor Fitial) want this is to freeze impoverished workers here and further drive the cost of labor down because of supply and demand. This is an election year ploy to garner votes among cheap business operators.
Who will pay for the workers’ medical insurance and repatriation? Will foreign workers be able to avail themselves of public assistance and U.S. aid for this two-year umbrella? It would be unreasonable to freeze unemployed workers here that could not receive assistance. If unemployed guest workers receive U.S. aid during this transitional umbrella, will accepting public assistance effect their chances for an improved status?
Leadership of the CNMI Department of Labor has questioned Representative Sablan’s motives for not supporting this plan, and that comment was rude and uncalled for. This umbrella seems to circumvent the intent of the federalization law. This is nothing more than the status quo crowd stalling federalization and continuing the story of shame in the CNMI.
This is a midnight effort to freeze underpaid maids here, not protect them. This law would enable some private schools to continue employing 5 dollar per hour foreign national school teachers, which will again further tarnish our reputation and prolong the story of shame that has long plagued the decent people of the Northern Marianas.
The decent persons of the commonwealth can rest assured that someday we will live in a community that employs our own citizens instead of hiring a restricted alien workforce while our own unemployed children seek work in the states. Someday, we will see locals working in security and management for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and HANMI members and they will be earn a livable wage. Someday, we will have wiped the stains of textile industry greed away from our islands. Someday, we will send shady alien “investors” packing. We can rest assured that someday, the story of inequality and a two-tiered system of servitude will end, and we can rest assured that someday, federalization of our labor and immigration will help us all.
RON HODGES
Puerto Rico, Saipan
