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Inos willing work with Kilili on worker needs of mega projects
The administration of Gov. Eloy S. Inos is ready to work with Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) on the expected surge of manpower needs of the Commonwealth once the mega developments of Best Sunshine International Ltd., Alter City Group, and Honest Profit International Ltd. go full throttle in coming years.
Responding to a query from Saipan Tribune following pronouncements from Sablan that the CNMI’s current population couldn’t support Best Sunshine’s worker requirements, press secretary Angel Demapan said the Hong Kong-base Best Sunshine has yet to discuss its plans regarding hiring guest workers for the construction phase of their project.
“The administration is under the impression that BSI is aware of all existing federal and local labor statutes and regulations. As such, and with a major undertaking in the wings, the administration is confident that they will address their labor needs in accordance to existing policies,” Demapan said. “Nonetheless, Gov. Inos is always willing and ready to work with Congressman Sablan to address any issue related to this matter.”
In an interview last Wednesday, Sablan intimated that the islands may not have the 9,000 workers Best Sunshine needs to operate its $7-billion Saipan integrated casino resort.
As it stands, Sablan said, the cap of H workers in the entire U.S. is 65,000 and not all workers Best Sunshine is looking to bring to the CNMI may qualify for H visas.
Best Sunshine’s project is not the only mega development in the horizon for the Commonwealth, as Alter City Group is also eyeing a $360-million development on Tinian and Honest Profit International Ltd. is plunking down another $130 million investment for a hotel in San Antonio.
Sablan said an option to recruit foreign workers from China is also out of the question because the U.S. currently has no treaty with China with regards to H workers. He said a special waiver is needed to make that work and such a waiver needs the consent of Congress.
