AS the current Saipan Chamber of Commerce president, I would like to respond to former SCC President Efrain Camacho’s letter of April 29, entitled “On the Wage Hike Issue,” from both the board and committee levels.
We can, and have, easily exchanged our views on this issue in the Chamber’s government relations committee, which Efrain Camacho and Alex Sablan co-chair.
I am the president in 2002. Mr. Camacho was the president over a decade ago. It is a different economy these days. The Chamber’s position on minimum wage has changed accordingly and as a result of that change in our economy.
Mr. Camacho is in the Chamber’s minority with respect to the current position on CNMI minimum wage rates.
Although it is true that we do not all agree at all times on all issues before us, the Chamber has taken positions on the minimum wage issue, as follows:
1. The Chamber supports the continued local control of minimum wage authority.
2. The Chamber is opposed to increases to its memberships’ cost of doing business.
3. The Chamber supports a non-political wage analysis and recommendation, based upon specific data evaluation by industry, with final determination through the Industry Wage Commission and the CNMI Legislature and administration.
The majority of the Chamber board of directors and general membership recognize the need to protect jobs, secure government revenue and protect the current economy.
To be unaffected by any increase in a basic minimum wage rate directly is one thing, but to disregard the indirect impact to all businesses, government revenues and jobs through improper management of wage rates is another.
Fortunately, the majority of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce sees this clearly.
RICHARD A. PIERCE
President
Saipan Chamber of Commerce
ALEX SABLAN
Board Member
Saipan Chamber of Commerce
