Flashback March 29, 1999-2001

Garment labor capped[/B]

Under imminent threat of a federal takeover, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has signed a controversial bill into law imposing an absolute cap on the number of workers in the garment industry in yet another bid to dampen efforts to apply US labor and immigration laws in CNMI. After years of uncontrolled entry of foreign labor, the legislation finally sets at 15,727 the total number of aliens that will be allowed to work in the garment sector from management positions down to line workers.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has left to department heads and mayors the decision whether implement salary cuts or reduction in manhours to help the cash-strapped government cope with a lower spending package for Fiscal 2000. The Tenorio administration is planning to submit approximately $210 million proposed budget, of which an estimated $4 million would come from public land leases.
[B] Trade zone wants environmentally safe companies[/B]

CNMI’s Free Trade Zone must only attract environmentally friendly businesses to protect the island’s natural beauty and not jeopardize the Northern Marianas tourism economy, said Bob Jones, chairman of the FTZ Committee. The CNMI government hopes to attract capital intensive, computer and machine-driven type business operations with a minimum number of skilled higher-paid foreign workers in the Free Trade Zone. Likewise, these businesses must have training programs for U.S. citizens and local residents.

AGO unfazed by probe threat[/B]

The Attorney General’s Office will be ready to face any investigation into its recent actions should the House of Representatives press ahead with a planned oversight hearing. But acting Attorney General Herb Soll dismissed allegations leveled by Rep. Stanley T. Torres of “selective prosecution” and “retaliation” against local residents challenging the AGO’s legal authority.

Despite decline in numbers of foreign investors who express interest in pouring fresh capital into the CNMI, hundreds of construction activities in the Northern Marianas contributed close to $36 million to local economy in 1999. The amount represents 386 construction proposals approved by the Department of Public Works’ Safety Code Division last year. CNMI enjoyed additional $57 million in fresh capital from the construction sector in 1998, although the amount is lower than the previous year’s $80 million.

Local farmers will continue to take a conservative approach on vegetable production unless measures are put in place to protect them from potential financial losses, according to Commonwealth Development Authority Executive Director Marylou S. Ada. CDA is currently advocating the institution of a crop and fishing insurance service in the Northern Marianas to address concerns raised by local farmers and fishermen who have remained skeptic toward expansion.

NMI funds from tobacco settlement deal in danger[/B]

The Attorney General’s Office warned that the Commonwealth will lose millions from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement if it fails to come up with legislation requiring manufacturers to deposit specific amount of money into qualified escrow funds. AGO consumer counsel David Lochabay alarmed House of Representatives Health and Welfare Committee Chair Malua T. Peter on the proposed 30-day notice posted by MSA states and territories regarding the 1999 Non-Participating Manufacturers Statutes.
[B] Continental eyes increased nonstop flights from Japan[/B]

Counting on the economic rebound in Asia, Continental Airlines is eyeing the deployment of more nonstop flights between islands in Micronesia and Japan to meet growing demands for airline seats. Continental Micronesia President Bill Meehan said the carrier had to reduce the number of airline seats deployed between Asian countries and islands in the Marianas due to the corresponding drop in passenger haul.

The Department of Commerce approved a total of 350 long-term business certificates of foreign companies in the whole of 2000, according to figures provided by the agency’s Foreign Investment Office. Topping the list of foreign investors by country coming into the CNMI last year was Korea with a total of 188 approved business certificates. China came in as the second biggest foreign investor in the Commonwealth with 82 approved business licenses.