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Increased lobby efforts to repeal 3-year limit urged
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Posted on Mar 08 2001
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday urged its members to enforce major lobbying strategy at the Legislature to show support for the elimination of the three-year limit stay for nonresident workers.
Calling all members to unite and beef up lobbying efforts, Chamber President Anthony Pellegrino stressed the importance of services provided by thousands of guest workers in the CNMI business community.
During yesterday’s chamber meeting, Mr. Pellegrino noted the quality of work needed from nonresident workers who occupy thousands of positions in various private and public agencies.
“This is a serious matter, we have to lobby hard to keep nonresident workers. They are needed in hospitals, schools, utility corporation,.. they provide stability and have loyalty to their work,” Mr. Pellegrino said.
He said the time has come for businessmen to march up to the Legislature, make their voices heard to press CNMI legislators immediately reach a firm decision.
This, even as the Legislature has started moving towards the revisions, if not outright repeal, of Public Law 11-69 that requires guest workers to leave the Commonwealth after three consecutive years of employment.
In an interview yesterday, Sen. Adriano Joaquin disclosed the upper chamber will deliberate on House Bill 12-317 which repeals the three-year limit law on its entirety.
“We need to work hard on the amendments, there are other problems there that we have to discuss like medical benefits.” the senator said.
Business and the education system both believe that once nonresident workers leave Northern Marianas, industries will collapse to the detriment of the CNMI economy, the government and ultimately, the local residents.
Aside from the chamber, private schools have also signified intention to support the calls for the repeal of PL 11-69. Mt. Carmel Schools administration voiced out concerns on possible exodus of nonresident teachers once the law is implemented next year. (EGA)
