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DOLI exempts garment firms from PROC ban
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Posted on Aug 05 1999
The Department of Labor and Immigration has issued another memorandum to clarify an earlier order banning entry of workers and visitors from mainland China, exempting factories belonging to the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association.
Addressed to all airlines, immigration and labor offices and ports of entry of the CNMI, the memorandum is the third in a week from the department, following claims by some sectors that nationals from the People’s Republic of China are eligible to seek asylum here.
“The PRC ban… remains in effect,” said the brief memorandum issued by the acting DOLI secretary the other day.
“As a limited exception to the ban, the Department may issue work permits for replacement workers for SGMA garment factories, subject to all requirements and conditions of applicable law.”
Labor and Immigration Sec. Mark Zachares last week issued fresh instructions to halt the issuance of new entry permits to all PROC nationals following alleged refusal and delay by Beijing to accept returning workers from the Northern Marianas.
He has also canceled Authorizations to Board or ATBs, which means airlines are prohibited from admitting passengers from China to bring onto the island.
The order applies to all new entry permits, including new workers, replacement workers, tourists and short-term business, 90-day business, long-term business, special industry, students and immediate relatives.
Application for renewals, however, are not covered by the indefinite ban. DOLI has warned violators of the order would face criminal prosecution and termination.
Backed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, the move came after a report was published that claimed Chinese workers in the Commonwealth are eligible to seek asylum under federal laws, which do not apply here.
Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, however, has expressed concern over potential “adverse repercussions” of the ban to ongoing efforts by the Marianas Visitors Authority to tap the Chinese market for the local tourism industry.
He has also sought a meeting with labor and immigration officials to shed light on the decision to issue fresh instructions against processing new entry permits to workers, businessmen and visitors from that country.
