A bridge beyond repair
The recent clarification that the Department of Interior’s OIA owes the NMI “impact of the compact” funds to the tune of $80 million clearly demonstrates a hideous agenda to bring the local government to its knees from both sides of the Pacific: the assault on the local economy by the Asian Crisis and investment instability as a direct result of OIA’s federal take over agenda.
This calculated move ended up in total miscalculation. OIA failed, we prevailed!
I can understand how the new helmsman at OIA feels taking on the task of rebuilding the bridge of reconciliation when it’s all too clear that his predecessor has taken direct participation not only in the denial of “impact-compact” funds, but in rounding up foreign witnesses (at US taxpayers expense) to pad his case before the US Congress.
If you recall in the various video tapes shown on KMCV TV, a certain Bangladeshi testified of abuses he had to endure here. A couple of issues were never made clear: 1.) The witness left the island saying he’s returning home. 2.) Last May, he appeared as the star witness of Interior’s OIA in Washington. 3.) The witness is allegedly wanted here for fraud. 4.) Who paid for his Washington trip? 5.) Who paid for Bangladeshis to demonstrate when US Congressional Delegations visited the island over the last two years?
Can Interior’s field representative here explain his role and how many foreigners and residents were put on OIA’s payroll to kick-up dirt against our faces? I’m following closely the agenda of ruination even at a time when the Clinton administration boasts of the “economic good times” that neglected the fate of the people of these isles.
Knowing of resource-poor island economies, OIA had to front for the Textile Labor Unions in the name of reform. What a mind set thinking we’re all blind, mute and deaf. A slick approach but one that is at best, a self-destruct mechanism that involved violation of federal laws. And this is supposed to be the lead federal agency of insular areas?
Fernando (Danny) Aranza will see the end of his term as head of OIA slowly close with nothing but frustrations for having to shoulder filthy linens left behind by a viciously pro-labor predecessor. For the NMI, it boggles the mind how arrogance had been employed as to neglect the existence of self-government in these isles. Sorry Fernando, the crumbled bridge of reconciliation is beyond repair!
Are local employees lazy?
It’s a question private sector employers have addressed without success. It’s such a difficult issue not that local employees are lazy, but that it involves the human equation often shoved aside by well meaning employers.
Fact No. 1: Employees at entry level jobs will bounce around until they can find better income than previous jobs. This is a fact both here and across the country. So quit surprising yourself. Deal with it in the best way you know how.
Fact No. 2: Local employees were used to a huge labor market upon which they once could choose jobs. That market has disappeared when the economy took a long slide as a result of the Asian Crisis. It is no longer a choice nor are certain job categories designed for guest workers. Take whatever is available and move on. There’s a hell of a difference between raking-in a meager income and a zero-income, ako?
The local labor market will continue to contract given that more than 2,000 tourist related businesses have shut their doors. There’s no room for that wonderful sense of la mañana. Take whatever is available and move on. Don’t be picky for there’s no room for that either. Comprende?
