FLASHBACK February 27, 2001-2004

2-year job contract for aliens proposed[/B]

If the government is really serious about creating a business-friendly environment in the CNMI, it should begin with implementing an amended policy on the employment contracts of nonresident workers. Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona is proposing that the government refine existing policies that relate to the employment contracts of nonresident workers to make it applicable for a two-year period, instead of the current one-year coverage. “Nonresident worker contracts should be renewed every two years not annually, said Mr. Manglona in a written testimony on the proposed legislative measure that seeks to reform existing government regulations.

Implementation of stricter programs on anti-tobacco use in restaurants and other business establishments throughout the islands may jeopardize increased efforts to lure more visitors into the Northern Marianas. This same concern prompted the Department of Public Health to call for a review by the Legislature of such policy’s possible impacts in the local tourism industry. Commonwealth Health Center pediatrician Norma Ada told the Legislature that certain places in the mainland US no longer allow smoking practices in enclosed areas. Some restaurants have, in fact, banned the use of cigarettes when dining while others put up a separate area for smokers alone.

OSHA rep on Saipan to investigate fatal PCB machine incident[/B]

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration yesterday started probing the death of a Filipino worker who was burned at the PCB treatment site in Tanapag, following the arrival of its representative from San Francisco, California, Monday night. At the same time, the Philippine Consulate office on Saipan vowed to assist the family of deceased Roberto Alazar in pursuing monetary claims. Andy Salcedo, a safety engineer from OSHA’s Region IX, immediately conducted an inspection of the work site yesterday and conducted interviews with at least two workers, including a survivor from the February 16 fatal incident.

Only 16.7 percent of Japanese tourists who visited the Northern Marianas in January 2001 and 17.96 percent in January 2002 believed that the CNMI’s tourist destinations are fairly priced. A Marianas Visitors Authority-administered exit survey released Monday disclosed that majority of Japanese travelers who visited the islands said they came here to relax and enjoy various sport activities. Out of at least 20,000 respondents, 14,646 in January 2001 and 11,881 in January 2002 said that pleasure is their dominant reason for visiting the islands, while golfing and diving received an approval rate of 19.17 percent and 16.96 percent in January 2001 and 2002, respectively.

NGA backs NMI’s delegate bid
[/B] In preparation for this week’s hearing on the potential for a Northern Marianas delegate in Congress, Gov. Juan N. Babauta has succeeded in having the National Governor Association renew its support for the grant of such a status. “I am very grateful for the support the nation’s governors have shown for the people of the Northern Marianas,” said Babauta after the vote approving the delegate policy. “I’m particularly grateful to Governors Association chairman Dirk Kempthorne. Because of his previous experience as a member of the U.S. Senate committee with responsibility for the U.S. insular areas, Governor Kempthorne understands the issue of representation for the Northern Marianas.” The association is composed of all 55 U.S. governors, representing the 50 states and the five non-State areas of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

House Education Committee chairman Justo Quitugua said yesterday that he has no plans to subject the Northern Marianas College to an oversight hearing, despite information he gathered confirming the institution’s serious financial woes. “We’re not going to do an oversight. We want to give the college more opportunity to refocus,” said Quitugua. The lawmaker pointed out that it has become a practice that, whenever a big problem arises, affected agencies have a tendency to throw the problem to the Legislature for it to help solve the problem.