Law enforcement works here
A recent report from the US Department of Labor claims that about $2.1 million was collected in the CNMI over the last year in back wages from various companies found non-compliant with pertinent federal labor laws.
The department had great success obtaining written agreements with companies affected which demonstrates how effective enforcement of existing law can be in cleaning up the problem without serious adverse impacts on the economy. It further illustrates that while US labor laws apply in the CNMI, appropriate federal agencies have failed to enforce these laws in the past or dedicate the necessary resources to improve the situation.
It goes to show that effective law enforcement (if pertinent federal agencies have gone about their fiduciary responsibilities consistently from the outset) is the appropriate approach rectifying violations of rights and safety of employees throughout the various industries here. Furthermore, it goes to illustrate that the legal system does work through court order decrees requiring companies to comply with the letter of the law. It means there’s no need to arbitrarily subject the CNMI to threats of federalization given that the legal system in place, works.
How sad that during the formative years of the CNMI’s constitutional government, federal agencies weren’t around to guide the new government in the implementation of a new set of rules that require an entirely new set of approach. But most of these agencies decided to play “hands off” when in effect, they too participated in the subsequent creation of a dysfunctional family for failing to work alongside the new constitutional government in the appropriate enforcement of laws.
The wealth of good (had the federal government dedicated sufficient resources to improve the situation as a true partner) would have resulted in a win-win situation for both sides of the Pacific. Unfortunately, the federal government treated the CNMI, despite its incipiency and obvious lack of experience in dealing with a new set of laws, like a neglected and unwanted child left alone to fend for himself. Through 20 years of triumphs and tribulations, the kid was basically successful in mapping his future withoutthe benefit of wise counseling from his parents.
If success–through hard earned experience–is viewed with disdain by negligent parents, they really have no reason to intrude and commence imposing their standards when such discipline and character molding should have been introduced during the kid’s formative years. We welcome the supportive role of federal agencies in instituting compliance of laws that brings the federal government to carrying out a fiduciary and legal requirement to assist the CNMI “attain a progressively higher standard of living” as we approach the new millennium. Yes, law enforcement works, therefore, it stands to reason to cease and desist from all plans to federalize our rights to self-government.
