Murkowski’s mistakes

“They seem captive to a system of immigration and wages that leaves imported workers at the mercy of exploiters and robs residents of opportunities in the private sector,”stated Alaska Senator Murkowski. “I am not willing to allow this kind of situation to continue,” he continued.

Yet, on both counts, Senator Murkowski is wrong. The CNMI does not leave nonresident workers at the mercy of exploiters. Imported workers do not rob local workers of opportunities in the private sector.

Nonresident workers are protected by both local and federal authorities. The CNMI police department, the Department of Labor and Immigration, the CNMI Attorney General’s Office, the courts, the Micronesian Legal Services Division, the F.B.I., the U.S. Justice Department, OSHA and other entities all contribute toward the protection of theCNMI’s guest workers. If CNMI guest workers are not adequately protected, federal law enforcement authorities already bear a tremendous responsibility.

As the Teno record clearly indicates, labor complaints have declined–sharply. Deportations are up. Assets hav been seized in connection with labor and immigration violations. And due to the severe downturn in the local economy, the number of nonresident workers has substantially declined.

Where are the facts and figures to support Senator Murkowski’s claim of widespread alien worker exploitation and abuse? They are nowhere to be found.

How does the federal government measure CNMI nonresident worker abuse? By the reports of the highly politically-biased U.S. Interior Department? By the equally sensational newspaper and 20/20 stories?

Let’s focus on the facts. The fact is, imported workers create opportunities for local residents in the CNMI’s private sector. First of all, imported workers attract foreign investment.

Why would any investor allocate capital in an area without adequate labor to maximize the return on that capital?

Without an adequate supply of labor, there would be no productive and profitable investment. Without investment, there would be no jobs or profits. Without jobs and profits, there would be no tax revenues. Without tax revenues, the majority of local workers would be unemployed.

Imported workers attract investment. They create jobs. They consume products and services. They pay fees and taxes. They allow the CNMI to have a viable economy. The indigenous people of the CNMI would be deeply impoverished without imported workers.

Senator Murkowski should seriously re-consider his position–for the sake of our local and nonresident workers alike.