The Cohen visit to NMI

To understand and appreciate what is down in the valley, one must walk through its deep jungles and ravines, as he climbs up that steep hill to the top. We’re hopeful that Mr. Edward Cohen’s first visit would enable him to walk through the valley and come to terms with perceived versus real labor conditions in the NMI.

As the 902 consultation talks begin, the NMI must definitely ask the president’s special representative what does the lead federal agency have by way of a back-up plan in the event the combined Interior, textile labor unions and members of Congress whose re-election were bankrolled by labor organizations pans out?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this nasty issue has boiled down to the special interest of textile labor unions supported by liberal members of Congress who now must pay back their debts to labor bosses or else their coveted political career is basically history. To make matters worse, our supposed partner
(Interior) has turned adversary completely neglecting its fiduciary responsibility in forging lasting investments in the NMI.

Cohen must also come to terms with the fact that since the inception of our constitutional government, Interior was nowhere in sight to assist the NMI on labor and immigration issues. Therefore, Interior must acknowledge that it played a key role in what has become a dysfunctional family and must equally accept its share of responsibility. Had federal agencies taken an active role from the outset, none of the protracted labor issues being revived from old cases would evolve into a public relations pissing match between Interior and the NMI.

The president’s special representative must review the resident FBI’s report about labor conditions here which came out last March. Basically, it said that labor conditions in the NMI isn’t as bad as portrayed by irresponsible national media and the network. OSHA has turned from fault finding to constructive resolution of work conditions and safety for employees. And the industry has signed a contract for a certain training all designed to improve employee rights, living conditions and safety throughout the industry.

These undertakings definitely reflect the local government’s commitment to reform in labor and immigration. Putting these reforms in place involves a process, an often slow process in that it involves close monitoring every step of the way. It requires the refinement of rules and regulations in that it pertains to the livelihood of human beings, not robots.

Finally, we hope that through your first visit, you would come face to face with reality in the islands and humbly scrap perceptual abuses often blown out of proportion by your superior and the liberal news media. Welcome to the NMI!