Saipan Tribune

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FLASHBACK - Sept. 8, 2012

Sept. 8, 2000

Pregnancy bill faces overhaul

Changes will be made to legislation freeing employers from paying full medical costs of their pregnant nonresident workers, according to its author Rep. Dino M. Jones who claimed it has drawn wide support in the community. He said the amendments would tie the proposal to child support laws placing the burden to the father as well as to labor regulations permitting transfer of employees to another employer. The House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations is expected to conduct public hearings on the three islands to gather inputs from members of the community as well as government agencies, the representative said.

OVR promotes empowerment of youths with disabilities

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation has introduced the inclusion of educational youth programs into its Fiscal Year 2001 state plan in efforts to empower youths with disabilities. According to OVR Director Tee Abraham, the agency has opted to add in new initiatives specifically designed for the youth in order to prepare them for future employment. The agency has proposed for a stay-in-school program tailored for junior high school students. Under this program, OVR will be working closely with high school students enrolled under Special Education.

Sept. 8, 2002

DOLI bars businessman from hiring nonresidents

The Department of Labor and Immigration permanently barred a Japanese businessman from hiring nonresident workers in the Commonwealth, following his failure to comply with the terms of an award order in favor of three workers. Labor hearing officer Vicente C. Seman also ordered that Hideki Furuta be barred from holding “a Commonwealth Immigration 706 classification of entry permit,” pursuant to existing immigration rules. This impacts on Furuta’s business plans in the Northern Marianas. Seman also cautioned the departments of commerce and of finance of possible business application by the Japanese, advising the departments to consult with the DOLI on this.

For CPA, there’s a way, if there’s a strong will

The Commonwealth Ports Authority would actively market idle properties adjacent to the Saipan International Airport and the island’s pier as part of the agency’s intensified efforts to generate additional revenue. Carlos H. Salas, CPA executive director, said the agency would continue leasing out idle lands controlled by the ports authority in order to raise funds without straining airport and seaport fees amid the continued slowdown in aviation and shipping activities. “We will continue to lease out idle lands to companies that are interested to do business either at the airport or at the seaport. We are carefully looking at other ways to generate revenue,” Salas pointed out.

Sept. 8, 2003

’Asylum issue part of local control over immigration’

If the Commonwealth wants to retain local control over immigration, then it must be ready to assume all issues that fall within the arena of immigration, including asylum, according to House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider. At the same time, Hofschneider said Friday that the Commonwealth’s political relationship with the United States through the Covenant requires it to live up to the treaties and international laws that the U.S. government commits itself to, including the U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Student appeals case vs NMC, instructor

Meredith Oden, the student who had filed damage claims against the Northern Marianas College and accused an instructor of sexually harassing and molesting her in 1996, has elevated her legal battle to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Oden’s lawyer, Douglas Cushnie, filed with the CNMI Supreme Court a notice of appeal Thursday, following the local court’s affirmation of the dismissal of her damage claims. The High Court agreed with the Superior Court’s decision to dismiss the case filed by the student on August 16, 2000 on the ground that the filing exceeded the prescribed period. The Supreme Court, through Chief Justice Miguel Demapan and Associate Justices John Manglona and Alexandro Castro, rendered the opinion in an August 8, 2003 written judgment.