Even as only a handful of foreign workers were interviewed for this report, the consensus is clear: the livelihoods of those who rely solely on their jobs in the CNMI are in jeopardy once the touchback rule comes into effect in October this year.
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan on Tuesday introduced H.R. 1420 "to modify the requirement to remain outside of the United States for Commonwealth Only Transitional Workers."
MEMBERS of the Bangladesh Muslim Community are suffering too, Muhammad Rafiqul Hassan said.
Typhoons Soudelor and Yutu, which battered Saipan in 2015 and 2018, affected everyone, including workers on CW-1 permit, but many were not eligible to receive any assistance from the CNMI government or the Federal Emergency Management Authority, said Hassan, speaking on behalf of the BMC.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has shut down the tourism industry since last year, Hassan said CWs are, again, not eligible for many federal relief programs.
âWe are asking the Office of the Governor, and the Office of the CNMI Delegate to the U.S. Congress to help all lawful residents of the CNMI, including CWs, who are losing jobs and income because of this pandemic.â