HONORABLE CNMI officials, I write this letter as a concerned business person, retired U.S. Marine and someone who is concerned about promoting the benefits of an effective local workforce.
The CNMI has chosen to enter into an affiliation with the U.S. government. With this affiliation comes responsibilities and obligations like no other in the Free World. Some of these obligations and responsibilities, but by no means all, are: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to choose your economic status, right to bear arms, taxation system, adequate medical treatment, service to the federal government (military, job corps, etc.) and freedom from illegal internment or incarceration without proper representation.
In general we citizens are allowed to pursue our own interests as long as they don’t infringe upon the right of others and damage society as a whole. We have a tendency to take these responsibilities and obligations for granted. As long as we in the CNMI have one wage system for contract workers, another for CNMI government employees and a third for local resident employees how can we ever have economic equality in the workplace? Do you honestly belief an accountant should receive $3.05 per hour? What about an electrician, assistant manager, waitress or mechanic? Could you survive with $3.05 an hour as a U.S. citizen? Or would you rather work for the government which pays a starting salary of $6 per hour? When you read the newspaper every day look at the wanted ads—or should we call them “renewal ads”? If you doubt this assumption, apply for one of the positions if you are qualified.
We, the business community, talk about being unable to afford wage increases at this time due to economic factors. However, what is the damage done to the CNMI if we continue with business as usual? Will we ever be able to place local employees into private positions in local business at reduced wages? Do you actually intend to keep 50 to 70 percent of the population in the CNMI from voting for actual changes in the system? Why can’t we offer tax incentives for establishments that offer first class training programs for local residents?
Honorable elected officials it is high time for the U.S. minimum wage standard to be implemented in the CNMI. In my humble opinion, let’s raise the minimum wage to $5.50 for resident and non-resident workers and do away with the housing allowance, transportation/food allowances for non-resident workers. The non-resident workers would also be responsible for their own medical insurance. This proposal can work if all parties—the CNMI government, large and small businesses—are committed to making it work. The CNMI government would have to contribute to the plan by reducing the number of its employees by 50 percent over a five-year period.
This may not be a perfect plan. However, it is food for thought. If the CNMI is to be seen as a fair and just society that promotes economic prosperity for all its citizens, residents and non-residents, then we must find alternatives to the current system. As a closing remark, no, I am not anti-garment factory or big business (as some would say). What I do stand for is liberty, justice and equality for all. Seems to me I heard that somewhere before.
JOSEPH C. CHILES
Gualo Rai, Saipan
