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Minimum age for workers in alcohol-selling establishments set
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Posted on Nov 24 2005
The Attorney General’s Office has permanently adopted immigration regulations that set a minimum age for workers in alcohol-selling establishments.
The age requirement for alcohol establishments, along with two other amendments to immigration regulations, was adopted on an emergency basis in May 2005. Emergency regulations remain in effect for 120 days only.
After complying with the necessary 30-day comment period, the AGO now adopts the regulations as permanent.
Åg[T]he Attorney General’s Office finds that the employment of nonresident workers under the age of 21 in alcohol establishments has created problems for both criminal and immigration enforcement authorities, has led to inexperienced workers entering the CNMI, and is not consistent with the efficient enforcement of the liquor laws,Åh attorney general Pamela Brown said in a public notice.
The minimum legal drinking age in the Commonwealth is 21.
The AGO also amended the immigration regulations to “sufficiently define [the special circumstances entry permit] as falling outside of the Nonresident Workers Act.”
The amended regulation states that a special circumstances permit holder may legally remain and work in the Commonwealth without further authorization under Commonwealth law. He or she is also exempted from the provisions of alien labor laws. Rather, a special circumstances permit should be subject to renewal at the discretion of the AGO.
Lastly, the AGO amended the regulations to include the ÅgOverseas Employment CertificateÅh in the documents Immigration could require of Filipinos seeking to enter the Commonwealth.
An OEC is an official document issued by the Philippine government to workers applying for employment abroad.
ÅgThe Attorney General finds that, in the case of Filipino workers, this certificate can be the best evidence of the worker’s identity, employment eligibility, and job category,Åh the AGO said.
