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Beyond unfair IPI forcing us to pay housing rent, CUC charges—IPI staff
A furloughed employee of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC said yesterday that IPI management has notified employees that they now have to pay for their housing and utilities.
Richie Cunningham said he finds it “beyond unfair” that IPI is forcing them to pay rent and Commonwealth Utilities Corp. utility charges considering that many of them are being furloughed and are getting zero money.
Cunningham said it’s even more hard for IPI’s CW workers because they are not eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
“IPI should not do this to the workers who are from different countries,” he said.
As of press time yesterday, Saipan Tribune was waiting for comments from IPI.
Cunningham said he saw the two letters posted on the doors of their housing accommodations two weeks ago.
Cunningham said the letters stated that it came from the IPI property management but they are unsigned.
A copy of one letter addressed to Vestcor Village tenants stated that the property will be converted into rental properties effective Aug. 1, 2020.
The letter says the rent will be $600 per month and the tenants will be responsible for their own utilities.
The other letter addressed to tenants stated that IPI will no longer pay for CUC charges for the workers’ units effective July 1, 2010.
The letter says the tenants will be responsible for the water/sewer/electricity usage for their unit going forward.
Cunningham, who is from Hawaii, said he was furloughed two to three weeks ago.
He said he has been working with IPI for three and a half years now and has been on Saipan for almost two years (More than a year working from Hawaii).
