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SGMA to take action against erring members
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Posted on Aug 04 2000
In response to report of alleged work and entry violations by one of its members, the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association, through acting chair Richard A. Pierce, said the group is continuously monitoring member-factories on the island.
He also assured that actions will be taken against members who are found to be violating CNMI and federal laws.
“First SGMA and the committees that operate within the oversight of its Code of Conduct are always active. Currently, we have three factories that are being investigated for possible violations of the Code, as a part of our normal work,” he said in a statement yesterday
“It is very difficult to imagine that an industry that employs over 15,000 employees, and an industry that accounts for over a third of the CNMI’s daily revenue, could not ever have a day go by where there are not employer/employee problems occurring,” added Mr. Pierce.
He said the association’s purpose is to continue to strive for a safe and healthy and productive workplace, adding that SGMA will in fact be temporarily suspending two of its member companies, pending resolution of administrative matters.
“The recent DOLI allegations of nine illegal undocumented and employed workers at an SGMA member’s worksite, are frankly, after initial SGMA committee investigation, less than front page material,” he said.
“We haven’t totally concluded our work, but the idea that a company putting to work people that are in need of a job, is a far less severe situation, than say, a company not paying workers that it already employs. And, especially if those people were to eventually become permanent employees.”
Mr. Pierce maintained they leave the matter to the Department of Labor and Immigration and the firm’s representative to settle the problems.
“[B]ut should the situation require SGMA to address Code of Conduct violations with its member, and alleged violations of the law are proven, we will not hesitate to take immediate action,” he added.
