SGMA says no to two gun proposals

The Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association has expressed opposition against two legislation, one that will seek arming labor and immigration officials and the other, easing gun control law to attract investors on “shooting resorts” into the CNMI.

Executive Director Richard A. Pierce said SGMA is “very concerned” with the proliferation of weapons on the islands and opposes any measure that will promote it.

Reacting on HB 12-64, he said the measure is “preposterous” as it would allow officials of the Department of Labor and Immigration to be armed to keep peace in the CNMI’s workplaces.

Almost all the workers employed in the garment manufacturing industry are female sewing machine operators and garment technicians, according to Mr. Pierce.

“SGMA totally opposes HB 12-64… because we see this as an absolutely uncalled for act in arming local government officials charged with making sure our nonresident workforce provides companies with the means to provide much needed revenue to the CNMI, as well as protecting their rights through compliance with local labor and immigration permitting,” he said.

“We’ve had enough incidents to allow for talk of denying the rights of workers and abuse,” the SGMA official wrote to Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, chair of the Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs.

The committee is currently reviewing the bill, along with HB 12-212 which will amend the Weapons Control Act to allow high-caliber handguns and rifles for use within the premises of proposed shooting resorts here.

Although it does not directly affect the garment industry, Mr. Pierce pointed out there are a lot of people on Saipan who believe the quality of life on the island has been diminished or compromised by a perceived proliferation of garment factories in the villages and by the presence of countless video poker machines.

“To promote the onslaught of shooting resorts in the islands would not only compromise the quality of life on Saipan, but would in fact threaten life itself,” he said.

Mr. Pierce cited incidents on Guam where he claimed numerous deaths have been reported even in the shooting ranges and suicides have taken place “because that;s where they could get their hands on a gun.”

HB 12-212, sponsored by House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta in an effort to boost the tourism industry, has deeply divided the community as opponents have raised fear of gun proliferation despite safety net built within the proposal. (Benhur C. Saladores)