Syed believes that there should be a thorough research and consultations to decide what is a “fair” wage for workers in the CNMI.
The current rate is $4.55 an hour while the federal rate is $7.25.
The local rate is supposed to be increased by 50 cents each year until it reaches the federal level, but the omnibus fiscal year 2010 spending measure signed by President Obama last December pushed the next wage hike in the CNMI and American Samoa from May 2010 to Sept. 30, 2010.
Syed admits that if the federal rate is applied to the CNMI more businesses will close down.
He noted that Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan has already asked the U.S. Department of Labor to provide answers regarding the local wage rate.
Sablan is a member of the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.
