Previous Story
CUC now allowed to hire alien workers
|
Posted on Aug 27 2008
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial approved yesterday a bill that would allow the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to hire 19 alien workers to address the severe manpower shortage at CUC’s power distribution division.
Fitial informed Senate President Pete P. Reyes and House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios that he has signed House Bill 16-142 into law. It goes to the books as Public Law 16-14.
Press secretary Charles Reyes Jr. said Fitial knows how important the measure is to CUC’s power plants in Lower Base.
“We need skilled foreign workers to help CUC repair and maintain the engines,” Reyes told Saipan Tribune.
Fitial’s signing of the bill was expected as the governor had earlier urged the Legislature to support amending existing law to allow such hiring of alien workers.
The Governor’s Strategic Economic Development Council had also adopted a resolution urging Fitial to exercise his powers to hire guest workers for CUC to ensure the consistent delivery of power, water, and wastewater services to island residents.
The bill was introduced by Vice Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero.
The new law would allow CUC to hire 12 nonresident workers and renew the contracts of seven others who are currently employed at the utility agency. CUC has until 2010 to keep these workers.
