Labor holds orientation for new guest workers

Thursday February 14, 2008

By Raquel C. Bagnol Variety News Staff

IN line with the newly enacted Public Law 15-108, nine foreign workers who arrived here over the weekend participated in first orientation conducted by the Department of Labor at its office in San Antonio on Tuesday morning.

Director of Labor Barry Hirshbein said P.L. 15-108 requires all foreign workers to attend an orientation regarding their rights and obligations while employed in the CNMI.

“This orientation is a brand new process, one of the many changes we are going through and this will be an ongoing program,” he said. “It is important because we need to know that the workers understand what is in their work contracts, and the workers need to know what their rights are, what is expected of them and what they can expect from their employers.”

Hirshbein urges guest workers to immediately consult Labor in case problems arise in the workplace.

“We would like to help prevent conflicts from arising between employers and employees,” he said. “The Department of Labor is a place where workers can turn to when any problem crops up, but workers should not come to us as a last resort because things may be beyond control by then.”

He added, “We rely on you to come and tell us immediately and not wait for the crisis to get big before you react.”

The orientation in English for workers is scheduled at 9 a.m. every Tuesday. The Chinese and Korean presentations are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Hirshbein said there are over 20,000 foreign workers on Saipan.