MAHAL: It’s time for unity

While foreign workers are powerless and can do nothing but to follow the regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding the CNMI-only transitional worker program, an advocate for Filipino workers on island believes that by joining forces, some relief can be given to the workers who now face being sent back home due to the CW visa cap being reached.

Marianas Association for Humanitarian Affairs Ltd. president Rene Reyes called on the employers, business leaders, lawmakers, workers and their families, as well a nongovernment organizations and advocates to come together to address the bleak situation currently affecting the Commonwealth.

“The workers can’t do anything but the lawmakers, employers and congressman Kilili Sablan (Gregorio Kilili C, Sablan) can do a lot. It’s about time to join our forces to seek the audience of Capitol Hill. Not just one or two, everyone who is concerned about the future of the CNMI should get together,” Reyes said.

For the MAHAL founder and president, it’s about time that workers be granted some kind of temporary relief or local residency, just like what they have been asking years ago from previous administrations.

“It’s about time that they fast track and really think about the option which is to give temporary relief to the workers to be able to stay here in the CNMI until such time that the rebuilding of the economy is done or those who will be denied, they can be given parole and employment authorization document,” Reyes said.

Reyes stated three things that might be done to address the situation:

First is to have a manifesto drafted and signed by all those concerned including officials as well as advocates who lead the Unity March in 2007 and other support group that seeks the Torres administration to provide emergency relief to all those who will be affected while a new amendment to the transitional period is being put into place.

Second is for the government to declare an emergency to give relief and at the same time, ensure the continued growth of the economy, and third, direct conversation with the new Philippine president.

“We have sought many times for relief in the past administrations of the CNMI but nobody listens because they treat us like commodities,” Reyes said.

“It will be a big loss if the affected workers will go home because currently, the CNMI economy is growing and it needs workers more than what the cap provides,” he added.

Reyes added that the workers are not asking for too much and they need the understanding of all concerned.

“The workers are here and showing loyalty by providing services not only for ourselves but for the benefit of our host country,” Reyes said.