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AGO: We’re not taking over Karidat’s program for alien workers
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Posted on Oct 16 2005
Erasing confusion over its new financial aid program for displaced alien workers, the Attorney General’s Office said the program does not replace similar programs being administered by other agencies and social service providers.
Last Oct. 6, more than 20 alien workers who have been displaced from their jobs trooped to the Karidat Social Service in Chalan Kanoa to ask for subsistence allowance but were temporarily turned down amid reports that the AGO has taken over the Karidat’s humanitarian aid program for alien workers.
Some of those workers had claimed being turned down by the AGO the day before they went to Karidat, saying that they were advised to coordinate with the Philippine consulate first.
The AGO said aid would be made available not only to abandoned alien workers. The aid consists of a one-time payment of $200 to be used exclusively for food, shelter, or other necessities. Funding for the AGO program comes from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.
“Aid is available for workers if their employer has ceased operations or left the jurisdiction without fully compensating the workers, and failed to repatriate the workers, terminate contracts in the manner required by law, or without providing for adequate food and shelter for a reasonable period of time after closure,” the AGO said in a media statement.
“Humanitarian aid may also be available for other aliens when circumstances show they are without food and shelter due to circumstances occurring outside the labor laws,” the AGO added.
The AGO advised workers seeking aid under the program to visit the Office of the Federal Ombudsman in the Mariana Heights II Building in Puerto Rico, Saipan so they could fill out applications forms. The AGO said the forms are also available at the Chinese Economic Development Association and the CNMI Department of Labor. Filled out forms will be forwarded to the AGO for eligibility determination.
“The worker will be notified of the result of his application. A worker is required to provide proof of eligibility for assistance, and may also be required to reimburse the fund in the event the worker becomes employed,” the AGO said.
