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July repatriation of IPI’s PH workers ‘likely’
Casino operator Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s Philippine contract workers “will likely be repatriated in July,” according to a status report IPI submitted to the U.S. District Court for the NMI last May 31.
According to IPI lawyer Michael W. Dotts in the status report, IPI was able to repatriate six Malaysian CWs in the time between the filings of the 19th and 20th reports and that two more Malaysians will be repatriated in August. Further, Dotts says that IPI’s Philippine CWs “will likely be repatriated in July.” CW refers to the immigration visa given to foreign workers; it allows them to work in the CNMI.
The May 31, 2021, filing is IPI’s 20th status report, which is required of IPI as part of former U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Rene Alexander Acosta’s closed case against IPI. Acosta and IPI agreed to an entry of consent judgment in April 2019. In addition to being ordered to regularly submit status reports, IPI agreed to pay a total of $3.36 million, which is composed of $1.58 million in back wages, $1.58 million in liquidated damages, and $200,000 in civil penalties.
The report also shared that IPI’s next payroll distribution will be on June 4 and IPI is “maintaining power and water at some housing as some CW employees remain in residence,” and that construction work at the Imperial Pacific Resort in Garapan remains suspended.
