29 Mar 2011

CNMI civil servants pleased work hour cuts remain unchanged

11:46 am on 29 March 2011

Civil servants in the Northern Mariana Islands are relieved that the Fitial administration has announced work hour cuts would remain at 16 hours per pay period next fiscal year.

The status quo is much more palatable than a work hour cut of 20 or more hours, which the Commonwealth government could have implemented after it discovered projected revenue for fiscal year 2012 is down to 120 million US dollars from 132 million in fiscal year 2011.

Lieutenant Governor, Eloy Inos, says critical agencies such as the Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections won't be spared from budget cuts in 2012.

However, he says there will be restructuring for efficiency and cost-effectiveness without compromising the delivery of public safety and health services.