Sixteen Palauans, despite President Remengesau warning against working for the factory flew to the United States to work in a meatpacking plant that’s been raided by U.S. authorities for hiring illegal immigrants and under-age workers.
The report says eight of the Palauans are working at the plant and another eight are scheduled to arrive.Earlier Remengesau said a U.S. meatpacking company’s efforts to recruit Palauans could “jeopardize their well being.”“It is not the job of this government to interfere with people’s options for economic prosperity. However, it is the government’s greatest responsibility to protect its citizens and I strongly believe that this could end up jeopardizing the well being of many Palauans who simply want to make a better life,” Remengesau said in a press release.Agriprocessors was located in Postville, Iowa has been recruiting Palauans to work in its meat processing plant.The firm earlier was raided by U.S. immigration officials, who found that over 300 workers were illegal immigrants.Under the “Compact of Free Association” with the United States, Palauans can travel to the U.S. without a visa, and work in the country.
