Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC chief executive officer Ray N. Yumul has disclosed that he signed the purchase order for under $2,500 worth of food stuff for the preparation of meals of IPI\u2019s H2B foreign workers. <\/p>\n
Speaking at the House of Representatives Committee on Gaming\u2019s public hearing at the House chamber last Thursday, Yumul said he did recall signing that purchase and that he already assigned that in the past two weeks. <\/p>\n
Yumul discussed the purchase for meals in response to Committee on Gaming chair Rep. Edwin K. Propst\u2019s (D-Saipan) question as to what IPI is doing to help these stranded foreign workers who have no money because they have no jobs and are relying on the community\u2019s help.<\/p>\n
Yumul said his understanding is that U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona\u2019s ruling includes the humanitarian aspect of requiring IPI to feed these workers. <\/p>\n
\u201cI believe they are being fed. We\u2019re allowed to have staff brought in to cook their meals, and that is part of the court order. So I don\u2019t think that has been violated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Propst said they appreciate that these workers are indeed receiving free meals and that they will discuss that with the workers, who attended that day\u2019s House meeting. <\/p>\n
As for the workers who are still here and are still awaiting payment of three-fourths of their contract guarantee, Propst said he understands that some workers have sought a lawyer and the matter will be litigated. <\/p>\n
He said these workers are being told that they will have plane tickets and that they should leave before the first week of February. Yumul replied that he wants these workers paid to the extent possible that is in their contract. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s in the contract and if it\u2019s been verified, and HR and finance says and provides me with a certified report, then I will insist that to my bosses,\u201d he said. Otherwise, Yumul added, he would have a serious concern about staying on as CEO if it\u2019s not dealt with. \u201cWhen it comes to the law, I tend to be very straightforward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Yumul also assured that, in reference to what Propst mentioned about Manglona\u2019s ultimatum to sell IPI\u2019s assets if the workers are not paid by March 1, 2021, \u201cI\u2019m not going to stand in the way of that. Rest assured that these folks will be paid<\/p>\n
Propst said that\u2019s a sign of good faith if the workers are to be paid. \u201cThen that will give some hope not just for these workers, but for the community because we have to base everything on priorities,\u201d the lawmaker said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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