House to decide on shortened immunity

Members of the House of Representatives are to vote today on several measures, including a proposal to shorten the current amnesty period for illegal foreign workers as well as a bill to ensure payment of retirement bonus for recently retired government employees.

Today’s session, the first for this year, is also expected to tackle pending bills passed by the Senate last month before they called for recess during the Christmas holiday.

House Majority Floor leader Ana Teregeyo said the bill seeking to change the effectivity of the limited immunity law from six months to three months is a priority in its agenda.

“We will act on those passed by the Senate as well as other concerns such as resolutions,” she told in an interview yesterday.

Senators last month passed the bill that will shorten the period for overstaying alien workers on the island in a move to hasten job placement for those who have availed the immunity offer in garment factories who agreed to absorb them.

The limited immunity law, approved last September, became in effect last December 2 and is scheduled to remain a program of the CNMI government until June of this year.

Legislators have expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the law by the labor and immigration department, prompting them to push for the shortened period to begin the re-employment process for more than 1,000 illegals who have registered so far.

Rep. Manuel A. Tenorio, who initiated the landmark bill that offered the first amnesty grant of the commonwealth government for the thousands of overstaying alien workers here, said he would support the proposal.

“There was enough publicity prior to the implementation of the law and those who want to come out, they would have done it as early as December,” he said.

While records of the illegal alien worker population have ranged from 5,000 to up to 15,000, Tenorio pointed out that authorities may have “overestimated” their number.

“Those illegals who don’t want to come out will be facing arrest as the law will go after them,” the representative explained.

Meanwhile, the 18-member chamber may also discuss a proposed measure aimed to resolve problems of some 110 retirees who have lobbied legislators to guarantee their receipt of the 30 percent cash bonus provided under the existing retirement law.

Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, who had earlier met with teachers and principals worried over the potential loss of the benefits in light of the mounting financial problems of the government, will spearhead the proposal.