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Court dismisses tourist’s suit vs DOL
The U.S. District Court for the NMI has dismissed the lawsuit filed by a Russian tourist against the CNMI Department of Labor for lack of jurisdiction.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Mangloña dismissed the complaint of Denis Uvarov, who had asked the federal court to intervene in a labor complaint he filed that was dismissed by CNMI DOL.
Mangloña said in her ruling that even if the court considers the exhibits attached to Uvarov’s complaint regarding nonpayment of wages, the amount in dispute does not appear anywhere near the threshold amount of over $75,000 required for jurisdiction.
Not only that but Uvarov’s complaint was explained in Russian with a few English words, Mangloña added. “The court cannot read Russian. Neither is it required to do so and generally requires that filings at the minimum include an English translation,” Mangloña stated. If Uvarov wishes to amend his complaint, he must do so in English.
Failure to file an amended complaint within 14 days will result in the closure of this case.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, Uvarov claims his employer owes him 166 hours in unpaid wages. DOL dismissed his appeal for lack of jurisdiction.
CNMI DOL also noted that Uvarov is neither a U.S. citizen, a CNMI permanent resident, a foreign national worker, nor a worker possessing some other non-immigrant status.
Uvarov came to the CNMI as a tourist. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
