CNMI to push for changes in MOU with feds

The CNMI government expects to continue its partnership agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hour and Wage division, but it will press for changes to some of the terms, according to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

Labor and Immigration Secretary Mark Zachares and Herbert Soll flew last Sunday to San Francisco to negotiate with federal labor officials on possible renewal of a memorandum of understanding in regards to handling labor cases in the Commonwealth.

“The MOU will be renewed. . . We have to amend some of the sections there,” the governor told reporters yesterday when asked if he had any instruction to the two Cabinet officials.

“Of course, we want to make sure that we continue working with the federal labor department and our labor and immigration office here,” added Mr. Tenorio.

The chief executive likewise underscored the need to work closely with federal agencies to ensure that companies on the islands comply with both CNMI and U.S. labor requirements.

“I have confidence that we will continue to work closely with them,” he explained. “That’s why we would like to see that the amended MOU will be implemented so that there will be no misunderstanding between the agencies.”

The San Francisco trip was a result of the Commonwealth’s unilateral decision to end the agreement forged with the Wage and Hour Division (WH) that allows them to refer guest workers with pending labor cases for temporary work authorization or TWA issued by the island government.

Signed during the previous administration between the CNMI and the federal labor office, the MOU arbitrarily grants the latter control over labor cases here brought by aggrieved employees against their employers.

It permits the WH to refer guest workers to DOLI for the issuance of TWA which is required by the island government in order for them to continue working in other companies while their cases are being heard.

DOLI had informed WH through the regional office in San Francisco about the termination ahead of its effective date on September 16, 2000, exactly 30 days from Aug. 17 when the notice was issued.

Mr. Zachares wrote a letter ending the agreement to WH District Director John M. Glyder. But he told the federal official that he’s open to another negotiation for a new partnership as part of his department’s commitment to a “working relationship” with the federal labor office.

In canceling the MOU, the DOLI chief had accused the division’s representatives on Saipan of abusing the agreement in a recent labor case in which more than 150 workers left their employer.