Labor earlier denied the application of Zhong Run Commercial Co. Inc. on the grounds that the company’s income was insufficient to justify hiring of additional employees.
However, after a hearing, Zhong Run was able to reach a garment services agreement with the U.S. CNMI Development Corp. involving 35,000 pieces of finished garment products at $1.80 per piece.
Jerry Cody, administrative hearing officer, said Zhong Run produced three checks amounting to more than $40,000 that it received from US CNMI Development.
“The 35,000-piece order will require a four-month effort from Zhong Run’s entire work force and will yield $63,000 in income for Zhong Run,” Cody said in his administration order dated Aug. 25.
Based on this newly produced evidence, Labor recommended that its denial be reversed and the applications of Hui Zhu Chen, Xiang Zhong Wu and Xiu Chun Wang are allowed to be processed, Cody said.
On July 25, the hearing office issued an administrative order affirming the Labor director’s denial of these permit transfer application.
However, 10 days after the hearing, Zhong Run submitted a written request for reconsideration of the orders, based on its newly signed service agreement with a garment manufacturer.
In granting the reconsideration, Cody ordered Zhong Run to file applications for the conditional granting of transfer for its three workers before Aug. 20.
The appellant workers, however, were told not to commence their work until the conditional grants are approved by Labor.
Cody said Zhong Run is ordered to keep production records detailing the number of pieces it produces under it garment services agreement every months.
Zhong Run is also required to provide any follow-up agreement that will replace the garment services agreement, which expires on Dec. 15, 2008.
