Complaint in foreign language

Q: Can a Filipino worker file a complaint before the Department of Labor in a Filipino language?

A: Any labor complaint should be filed in the English language. If written in Filipino or in another language, the complaint should be accompanied with an English translation and signed by the complainant or his attorney.

According to the Alien Labor Rules and Regulations, a complaint should contain the caption setting forth the name of the Division of Labor; the names and addresses of the parties; a short description of the nature of the complaint; and the relief requested or demanded.

The complaint may be handwritten, printed, or typed. Failure of the complaint to conform to any standard, regulation, or department policy or rule is not a valid ground for refusal of the complaint so long as it is legible and contains the needed information.

* * *

Q: How can a nonresident worker qualify to hire a domestic helper?

A: Nonresident workers who employ housemaids are called non-business employers. The non-business employers are those who may employ alien workers but do not have to obtain a business license. These employers must state in an affidavit that they do not receive food stamp assistance, Security Supplemental Income from the Social Security Administration, government subsidies in the form of public utilities from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., or low income housing from the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.

Non-business employers, however, must meet the following minimum financial guidelines:

No. of persons in household – Gross Monthly Income
1 – $1,583
2 – $1,833
3 – $2,033
4 – $2,183
5 – $2,333

The Division of Labor will deny any permit applications of any non-business employers if they fail to meet such financial minimum guidelines.

* * *

Q: What will happen if a complaining worker and his or her employer do not reach an agreement?

A: If the parties do not come to an agreement, the Labor’s Administrative Hearing Office shall inform the case investigator of this fact. The case investigator shall complete the investigation. The mediator then shall schedule a date for a hearing on the complaint.

Submit questions on labor issues to Saipan Tribune via e-mail at editor@saipantribune.com, or by calling 235-6397, 235-2440, or 235-8747 and leaving a message at Ext. 133 or 135. You may also submit questions in person by writing it down and dropping it off at the Saipan Tribune’s office on the second floor of the Century Insurance Building on Beach Road, Garapan.