Previous Story
Lesser requirements for permit processing eyed
|
Posted on Jan 28 2006
Acting Department of Labor Secretary Gil M. San Nicolas has underscored the need to lessen the requirements at their permit processing section, in line with the administration’s business-friendly approach.
San Nicolas, in an interview with the Saipan Tribune, disclosed that there are some changes that he wants to implement to streamline the processing section and “make it easier for everybody.”
San Nicolas said there are a lot of requirements that are statutorily required, but he feels they don’t necessarily need them at the processing section.
He said the requirements, however, are important to be maintained under the enforcement section for purposes of investigating labor complaints.
The acting secretary cited as an example the withholding taxes.
“We require that [withholding taxes] at the processing section because the law requires it,” he said.
San Nicolas said their staff at the processing section are not really trained into looking at revenue and tax documents.
“But for the enforcement guys who have some training on law enforcement, we may use that as a tool to determine whether or not the employers are properly paying wages and, at the same time, we can work with revenue and tax personnel to determine that,” he said.
San Nicolas said he wants to work with the Legislature on how to streamline the processing services.
