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Feds coming for garment talks
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Posted on Dec 08 1998
Officials from the US Department of Labor will arrive on Saipan in January to hold discussions with local garment manufacturers in what could be part of a series of visits by federal officials in the Northern Marianas, according to sources from the administration.
CNMI’s Secretary of Labor and Immigration Mark D. Zachares yesterday met with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to inform the commonwealth leader of the scheduled visit by a team of labor officials next month for talks with industry representatives.
Zachares recently went to Washington D.C. to update congressional staff, Insular Affairs Director Allen P. Stayman and labor officials on the reforms being undertaken by the island government to address federal concerns on labor and immigration.
Sources privy to the meeting between Tenorio and Zachares said the labor secretary informed the governor that federal officials are satisfied with the initiative of CNMI in reforming local policies to curb entry of foreign workers and stop labor abuse.
The federal government took note of the implementation of the limited immunity and the moratorium on hiring of guest workers – two important measures set in place by local officials to address Washington’s concerns.
However, Stayman has cautioned the commonwealth against approving the a bill that will increase the number of garment workers because of its potential impact on pending proposals in US Congress that seeks to apply federal laws on minimum wage, immigration and customs in the Northern Marianas.
“It (garment bill) is not being read favorably by Washington. If we pass that, we’re doomed,” said an administration source who requested not to be identified.
Dissatisfied with the handling of labor and immigration policies by local officials, the federal government has been pushing to take away these commonwealth functions.
However, CNMI said a takeover at this time when the island economy is hurting from the Asian financial turmoil would only exacerbate the problems confronting the government.
