26 Jul 2006

Group of CNMI employers investigated over sponsorship scams

10:16 am on 26 July 2006

Sixty employers in the Northern Marianas are under investigation for sponsoring an undetermined number of foreigners who are working for other employers.

The practise violates labour regulations requiring foreigners to work for the company sponsoring them.

The Marianas Variety reports that the number of companies targeted by the investigation is expected to increase as the probe on sponsorship continues.

Acting Deputy Labor Secretary Alfred Pangelinan said the department is concerned about employers who receive a percentage of the wage earned by non-residents who are hired by other employers.

Under the illegal sponsorship scheme legitimate employers sponsor the hiring of overseas workers but once these workers reach the CNMI they work for other employers.