Labor strengthens outreach to private companies

Department of Labor Enforcement director Gil San Nicolas discusses the CNMI federal minimum wage, the CW-1 program, medical and repatriation expenses, and safety standards during an outreach with HBR International employees. (Contributed Photo)

Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente, along with the Division of Enforcement continues to reach out to the private sector, saying that collaboration is key to addressing workforce misinformation and enforcement concerns.

“I am pleased that our private sector is reaching out to our department to discuss labor laws and renew their knowledge of current issues,” Benavente said.

She related that the department recently met with Marvin I. Buston, administration manager of HBR International, and its general manager, Eduardo Lim.

HBR does general construction, building maintenance services, and manpower supply services and has been in business in the CNMI for 27 years.

“We want to highlight the fact that we have companies who have been in the Commonwealth for decades and are diligently abiding by our local and federal laws and adopting best practices,” Benavente said. “We encourage more of our private partners to learn more as we build toward improving our labor policies and workforce.”

Labor Enforcement director Gil San Nicolas noted that Labor met with HBR International staff and management last week, at the request of the company, to discuss information about CNMI labor laws.

“We provided information such as CNMI federal minimum wage, the CW-1 program, medical and repatriation expenses, to name a few. The HBR employees asked questions about time and attendance, holiday pay, and safety standards. They were also informed about DOL regulations regarding their employment as contract workers. We want to reiterate that strengthening this dialogue improves enforcement and employee protection. There is still so much work to be done but we are seeing positive feedback from employers and their companies,” San Nicolas said.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said that labor outreach builds on the current and future needs of the Commonwealth.

“Our private sector needs to be provided with reliable information and resources, and Labor is adapting to improved policies to build toward a resilient workforce. While the department continues its data collection, we must not lose sight of the key industries and continued assistance and collaboration in filling information gaps so that we can address the future of our economy and our community,” Torres said.

Benavente said that, while training to enhance employment services took place just last month, communicating with employers is needed at the same time.

“We are pushing to develop our workforce and encouraging companies to be as competent in current labor practices as possible. We stand by our commitment to the long-term and welcome more of our small businesses and large companies to reach out to us for clarification or to renew their knowledge,” Benavente said.

For more information on the Division of Enforcement, log on to www.marianaslabor.net or call 322-4365 or 323-9938. (PR)