Hiring exemptions for gov’t jobs awaits Teno’s approval

Legislation exempting critical agencies from the ban on hiring nonresident workers in the government is now awaiting Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio’s action after the lower house accepted amendments made by the Senate to the proposal.

HB 12-285, which cleared the House of Representatives on Wednesday, is considered crucial for these agencies as some of their foreign workers are being threatened with deportation since their employment contracts have already expired.

Rep. Diego T. Benavente has asked the House clerk to immediately send the measure over to the governor’s office for his signature, noting the need by agencies to renew these contracts.

Offered by Health and Welfare Committee chair Rep. Malua T. Peter, the legislation seeks to extend by five more years the sunset provisions of a law prohibiting employment of foreign workers in the government.

Lawmakers have rushed to approve the proposal to address anticipated shortage in key personnel in government offices due to insufficient local labor pool with the required skills and training.

The hiring ban took effect last Sept. 30 as provided by Public Law 10-4, but the pending legislation will revoke such restriction until Sept. 30, 2005.

The Departments of Public Health and Public Works as well as the Northern Marianas College and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. have been identified in the bill as the agencies needing expertise of the nonresident workers.

Initially, the Office of Public Auditor and the commerce department were included in the proposed exemption, but the Senate removed them in the list following determination that sufficient local workers can fill positions occupied by nonresidents.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, however, is expected to review a separate House bill that will allow OPA to continue hiring nonresidents.

Meanwhile, the House also approved changes to HB 12-64 that will allow the Commonwealth Ports Authority enforcement officer to carry firearms in the administration of their duties. It is now up for the governor’s signature.

This is one of the controversial bills that sparked debate between pro-gun and anti-gun advocates, along with the pending proposal seeking to create so-called shooting resorts on the islands.

Federal Aviation Administration regulations require CPA officers to be armed to protect the major ports of entry in the CNMI from hijackers, terrorists, drug smugglers and contraband dealers.

The Department of Public Safety has in recent years deputized the CPA officers to be able to carry firearms, although there is no existing law that empowers it to do so.

The bill will also authorize criminal investigators of the labor and immigration department to carry firearms while performing their duties.

They are at risk, particularly from fugitives evading CNMI immigration laws who may be extremely hostile and act in desperation to avoid arrest and subsequent deportation, according to lawmakers.