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179 complaints posted from Jan. to May 2005
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Posted on Jun 15 2005
The Department of Labor received 179 complaints in the first five months of 2005, half of which were filed by workers in the garment industry.
In his report to the Cabinet yesterday, Labor Secretary Joaquin Tenorio said 88, or 49 percent, of the complaints were filed by garment workers.
Of the total complaints, 36 were filed in January; 24 in February; 53 in March; 24 in April; and 42 in May.
Tenorio also reported that the department opened 91 agency cases from January to May 2005. Labor initiates an agency case to address possible violations by employers that downsize or cease operations, among other things.
More than half of the agency cases were opened in April due to the closure of garment factories on Saipan.
Tenorio expressed hope that the department would be able to reduce the number of complaints being filed by workers with the hiring of a full-time Chinese/English translator.
Aside from assisting in hearings and mediations, translator Perry Lo’s tasks include assisting and educating Chinese nonresident workers regarding labor rules and regulations.
“It is the Department of Labor’s position that an educated workforce would minimize the potential abuse by private translators and ultimately reduce the complaints being filed with the department,” said Tenorio.
Private translators have been blamed for instigating the workers’ filing of “copycat” or frivolous complaints to some degree in order to collect a substantial translation fee. Earlier reports showed that some translators charge up to $300 per complaint.
Tenorio said that from January to May 2005, official translation services were provided by Labor in 88 administrative hearings and mediations, 72 complaint intakes, 68 investigative meetings or sessions, and over 1,000 walk-in cases.
