Refugees in the Commonwealth will be given employment status similar to that enjoyed by resident workers, according to a regulation proposed by the Department of Labor.<\/p>\n
Kevin Lynch, legal counsel for Labor, said the regulation regarding the employment status of refugees is being promulgated in accordance to Article 17 of the 1967 United States Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.<\/p>\n
The CNMI\u2019s Covenant with the United States requires the Commonwealth to international conventions and treaties where the United States is a signatory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis regulation makes Commonwealth law consistent with the U.N. treaty,\u201d said Lynch.<\/p>\n
The regulation will apply to all persons who have been granted refugee status as a result of federal or Commonwealth law or regulation in implementing the 1967 U.N. Protocol.<\/p>\n
Under the rule, they will be permitted \u201cto engage in wage earning employment to the same extent and the same manner as a \u2018resident worker\u2019 as that term is defined in 3 CMC \u00a74412 (n).\u201d<\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Code defines \u2018resident worker\u2019 as any available individual who is capable of performing services or labor desired by an employer and who is a U.S. citizen or national.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe regulation basically states that refugees do not have to have an employment situation that\u2019s approved by the Director of Labor. They are able to go and market their talent and ability like a resident worker. They do not have to have a one-year contract and they do not have to go through the formalities of getting a work permit,\u201d Lynch explained.<\/p>\n
Submitted by Labor Secretary Joaquin Tenorio, the proposed regulation appears in the latest issue of the Commonwealth Register. The proposal will be subject to a 30-day public comment period before it will be adopted as a permanent regulation.<\/p>\n
Last September, the Attorney General\u2019s Office adopted regulations on persons seeking refugee protection.<\/p>\n
The regulations aim to implement the P.L. 13-61, which requires the AGO to promulgate rules and regulations enforcing the U.N. Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and the U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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