The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas governor, Benigno R. Fitial, says he has signed a directive requiring 1,200 public servants to take unpaid leave for the month of Septemebr.
The governor acknowledged that the measure would be painful to all affected, but he said there was no alternative.
He says the cash-strapped government's payroll budget has to be reduced.
He said the cuts, which will be carried out on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, are designed to balance the government's spending for the fiscal year 2006, which ends on September the 30th.
