‘We’ve come a long way on worker protection’

Both federal and CNMI leaders agreed that the CNMI has come a long way in terms of improving the work environment in the Commonwealth.

In his remarks during yesterday’s opening of the three-day Governor’s 2nd Annual Conference on Safety and Health, Babauta attributed the improvement to “a group effort” between the government, private sector, and federal authorities.

“Protecting the health and safety of workers is a group effort… It has been a group effort—and a most successful group effort,” said Babauta.

He recalled that 10 years ago, bad press portrayed the CNMI as a place where workers were treated unfairly and living under dangerous conditions.

“As a Washington Representative…I knew that much of what was being said was true. And it saddened me to know that we had allowed these kinds of conditions to exist in our home,” he said.

He pointed out, though, that the federal government had also “done little or nothing to enforce federal laws to protect workers and ensure safety in the workplace.”

Things took a turn for the better when federal authorities began focusing on the CNMI and when local business and the government realized that “treating workers poorly and maintaining unsafe living and working conditions were bad publicity, bad for business, and just plain wrong.”

“It’s worth the way in which change occurred,” he said.

While change can result from conflict—as indicated by “clashes” in the early days—Babauta said change can also occur and usually can occur more quickly and effectively, and with fewer headaches through cooperative efforts, such as the ongoing conference.

“Today’s event demonstrates that we’ve been wise enough to choose the path of cooperation and partnership,” he said.

For his part, Occupational Safety and Health Administration chief Frank Strasheim said his office will continue to help the CNMI comply with federal standards.

He encouraged the CNMI to be a showcase to other U.S. jurisdictions in terms of safety and health standards in the workplace.

“We’ll be here for you to do that,” he said.

Babauta also proposed that Strasheim obtain permission from the OSHA main office to hold the 3rd annual conference at a regional level and invite Assistant Secretary of Labor John L. Henshaw to be the guest speaker.

“The results [of state-federal partnerships] are so worthwhile that I’d like to propose that next year’s conference be a regional conference to include all the U.S. and U.S.-affiliated areas in the Pacific,” he said.

Babauta and Saipan Garment Manufacturing Association executive director Richard Pierce received a plaque of recognition each for their valuable contribution in making the CNMI a safe and healthy workplace.

Both agreed that healthy workers and a safe environment bring productivity and results, with taxpayers getting more for their tax dollars.

Babauta also signed yesterday a proclamation declaring Aug. 16 to 21 as Commonwealth Health and Safety Week.

The three-day conference is sponsored by the Northern Marianas Alliance for Safety and Health, composed of the Northern Marianas College, Division of Environmental Quality, departments of Labor, Public Safety, Public Works, and Public Health; SGMA, Hotel Association of NMI, Saipan Contractors Association, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.