‘It’s non-renewal of memo, not TWA’

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial clarified Friday that the government’s target for deportation or repatriation are only the “illegal” workers, including those holding Department of Labor-issued memorandum who are working.

Fitial said the a memorandum is not a work permit, but a permission to seek work in the CNMI.

“Now some of them are already working when they only have a memorandum. That’s illegal. They can’t start working without TWAs,” he said.

The memorandum is effective for 30 days.

If no job is found within this period, concerned workers must leave the Commonwealth—repatriation if voluntary or deportation if involuntary.

Finance Secretary Eloy Inos said that many workers with memorandum file a labor complaint on the 29th day or a day before the expiration to be able to obtain a temporary work authorization.

It is usually during this period that workers come up with frivolous complaints to ensure their continued stay in the CNMI, the government said.

TWA IS LEGAL

Fital said that the government cannot stop the issuance of a temporary work authorization since it is provided in the Nonresident Workers Act.

“We’re not stopping TWAs. We can’t stop the law,” he said.

“I have no qualms with authorized work permits. I have issues with workers who are now working without TWAs. They are not paying taxes. That’s what I’m referring to,” said the governor.

The governor said during a news briefing the other Friday that his administration would stop issuing new TWAs as part of efforts to stop the widespread illegal employment in the CNMI.

He described this group of workers as “legitimate illegal workers.”

He said there are more than 3,000 people with TWAs.

“It [news] gave the impression that I’m against those nonresident workers with TWAs. That’s not the case. I’m against those who are now working without TWAs and are not paying taxes,” he said.

TWA holders do pay taxes since their salaries get deducted by their respective offices.

TWAs are renewable after 90 days or until personnel status is resolved.

Inos said TWA holders are workers who have entry authorizations to be gainfully employed in the Commonwealth.

In the meantime, Fitial said his order to the Labor Department to deport illegal workers remains.

“I’ve already ordered Labor to start deporting those illegitimate workers, [including] those with memos that are working,” he said.

He said this include many of the 55 workers arrested a week ago at Rifu Apparel Corp. and R&B Corp.