Previous Story
U.S. insists on steering CNMI rudder on labor
|
Posted on Jan 05 1999
President Bill Clinton has said the existing situation in the Northern Marianas does not guarantee protection of workers’ rights provided under federal laws and pressed local officials to establish policies that will address the problem.
The US leader strongly proposed to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio that his administration agrees with the National Labor Relations Board on the commonwealth’s treatment of collective bargaining agreements, employees covered by the NLRB-filed charges and reinstatement remedies in settlements approved by the federal agency and ordered by courts.
Clinton underscored the need to establish clear policies along this line because “the current situation does not ensure adequate protection of workers’ rights under federal law.”
The presence of non-resident workers, whose number has swelled over the years, has worried the federal government because of the islands’ growing dependence on foreign labor as well as the increasing number of babies born to guest workers who later acquire US citizenship. Problems that go along with the hosting of foreign workers have also alarmed Washington because of what it claimed failure of CNMI to address labor abuses.
A top aide of the president is expected to arrive on Saipan this month to reopen stalled discussions on labor, minimum wage and immigration – issues that have strained US-CNMI ties because of differences in handling these local functions.
Edward B. Cohen, Clinton’s special representative to the 902 consultations, said in a letter to Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan, his local counterpart, that he would like to discuss the application of federal immigration and minimum wage laws to the commonwealth.
Cohen’s letter echoed Clinton’s position that he would consider other measures for a transition to federal law particularly in light of the worsening economic condition confronting the Northern Marianas.
But members of the local panel said they would want “informal discussion” to focus on labor and immigration without giving up control on such functions provided in the Covenant. The CNMI team would also like to include economic aid and federal assistance in reforming local immigration and labor.
