Flashback — Feb. 2000-Feb. 2002

DOLI calls for thorough review of reform proposal[/B]

There is a need for a thorough study that would identify whether economic benefits would outweigh the problems posed by a pending legislation in the House of Representatives, according to an analysis report prepared by the Department of Labor and Immigration. The report, which was submitted to the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, recognized the economic benefits that can be derived from its implementation. However, DOLI also sounded the alarm for potential problems associated with the opening of the Commonwealth’s immigration doors to more nonresident workers.

CNMI legislators asked the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday to allow Armenian Airlines provide direct charter flights between Saipan and the Philippines, in fresh attempts to alleviate air transport woes in the Northern Marianas. The 12th House of Representatives adopted a resolution over the weekend requesting the U.S. transportation department to grant a Foreign Aircraft Permit to Armenian Airlines to operate charter flights between Saipan and Clark Field in Pampanga, Philippines. The CNMI government, through the Economic Recovery and Revitalization’s Aviation Task Force, has been trying to encourage other foreign carriers to provide air transport services to the island following Continental Micronesia’s decision to stop direct flights to Saipan.

Gov’t urged: Reduce labor costs[/B]

The CNMI government has been asked to initiate programs that would build up a strong local labor force to pave the way for a reduced cost of doing business in the Northern Marianas. This would help the Commonwealth mitigate current investor climate constraints. According to a report submitted to the Office of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, building a local labor force would minimize the islands’ dependence on skilled nonresident workers. The report said although labor cost in the CNMI, as seen by American investors, is low, Asian businessmen who are more likely to infuse fresh capital into the CNMI looks at current figures as high.

The House of Representatives yesterday adopted a resolution authorizing the CNMI government to submit an action plan for the Community Development Block Grant application to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. House Joint Resolution 12-19 authorizes the government to submit applications for three federal programs worth $1.4 million under the auspices of the US-HUD. Of the total amount, $929,000 will come in a form of a Community Development Block Grants; $413,000 would be for Home Investment Partnerships; and $40,000 will be in a form of an Emergency Shelter Grant.

Torres: Community prosecutors in the works[/B]

Attorney General Robert T. Torres has begun moving on his plan to bring his office’s services down to the level of the community through what he calls “community prosecutors.” Torres said he has already met with Department of Public Safety Commissioner Edward C. Camacho and Criminal Justice Planning Agency Director Doris Pladevega to discuss the program and find ways of establishing and funding it. “I’ve given him [Camacho] an outline of the program because it would require not only working with community, civic and public agencies but it would also require cooperating with police officers to know the community,” he said.

Saipan’s garment factories continue to earn praises from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration for their commitment to improving employment and workplace standards. OSHA Regional Administrator Frank Strasheim, in a recent letter to Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association Executive Director Richard A. Pierce, said the most recent verification visits of 23 garment firms yielded encouraging results. He hailed the various factories for meeting and exceeding the expectations required of them under the SGMA-OSHA Excellence 2000 Partnership Agreement. “I truly believe the Excellence 2000 has improved the working and living conditions of the workers, which in turn, will allow OSHA to focus its resources in those areas where we are needed most,” said Strasheim.