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House ponders changes on labor bill
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Posted on Jan 05 2001
The House Commerce and Tourism Committee is preparing amendments to legislation that is patterned after the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act before regular sessions resume by the end of this month.
This will be one of key priority measures which the leadership in the lower house is expected to push, according to House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta.
The committee met the other day to discuss changes to the bill sponsored by House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial who has earlier instructed them to hasten review of the proposal.
Comparisons will be made with existing labor laws as well as administrative regulations prior to drawing up a new draft of HB 12-134, said Mr. Babauta.
“Definitely, we will make amendments to the bill,” he told in an interview yesterday, adding it will be ready by Jan. 29 when regular sessions resume.
Similar to federal labor standards act, excepting the minimum wage provisions, the bill seeks to simplify process of employing nonresident workers in the CNMI, while safeguarding their rights, according to its proponent.
While it will not entirely repeal the Nonresident Workers Act passed by the 5th Legislature, its “non-essential provisions” will be amended by the new bill to keep them updated with the times.
The key change advocated by the measure is to leave the negotiation of the job contract between the employee and the employer.
Under the present system, companies have to go to the Department of Labor and Immigration to process the documents where each contract is scrutinized.
The proposal will also include provisions to ensure fair deal for local workers, while setting out living and working conditions of nonresident workers.
One of the House leadership’s economic agenda, the bill is considered a priority in view of its efforts to improve ways of doing business on the island which has suffered heavily in the past three years due to the Asian currency crunch.
It will also compliment the Omnibus Labor and Business Reform Act enacted last year. (Benhur C. Saladores)
