Hundreds of alien workers meet with Labor

Hundreds of alien workers who claimed they are owed unpaid wages and damages by previous employers showed up at the Sugar King Park’s Roundhouse where Labor personnel informed them to file small claims in the Superior Court.

The workers, all of different nationalities, started gathering at the Roundhouse as early as 8am. Labor announced earlier that they are going to entertain the workers from 9am to 11am, but because of the huge number of claimants, the meeting was extended until the afternoon.

Workers carrying Labor administrative orders were made to fall in lines. Many workers whose names were in the Labor’s announcement in the newspaper appeared. But many workers whose names were not in the newspaper also showed up.

Labor Enforcement Supervisor Jeffrey Camacho told Saipan Tribune that they were there to assist the workers and give them the small claim packets on how they can proceed to court and collect their administrative orders.

“We are also providing them the name of the bonding companies and the bond numbers,” Camacho said.

Camacho said there are individuals who showed up that are not listed in the newspaper that was printed out last Monday.

“We are also assisting the ones on the list by giving them these small claim packets,” he said.

“Earlier we estimated we have a list from the Ombudsman’s office for around close to 800. So we will be here the whole day to assist them and register the last individual to come in today,” the supervisor said.

Camacho said it was federal ombudsman’s office that provided Labor with the names of the workers.

“We are trying to assist them to collect through some bonding companies,” he said.

He said some of the workers were asking how much is the fee that they have to pay in the small claims.

“If there is $500 or less, there is a court fee of $20. As the claim goes higher or goes up to $500 to $2,000 I believe it is $30,” Camacho said.

He said some of the workers who came informed them that they already have lawyers that complained either at the district court or the Superior Court.

“They saw their names in the newspaper so they came here. We’re telling them you check your attorney,” he said.

Camacho said the process at the Roundhouse went smoothly because they had interpreters.

Federal Ombudsman Jim Benedetto was earlier seen at the Roundhouse.

Some workers told Saipan Tribune that they went there just to observe because their names were published in the newspaper.

One worker said he did not get the small claims packet because he trusts the federal ombudsman more.

“I’ve been here for 19 years now. My administrative order was issued 12 years ago but until now I haven’t gotten any amount,” the worker said.

Benedetto earlier reported that he collected over 800 administrative orders from workers, representing a total amount of $6.1 million in unpaid wages and damages.