The CNMI Legislature has urgently passed a bill giving the governor authority to reprogram up to 10 million US dollars for the remainder of the fiscal year for the salaries of government employees.
However the move wasn't enough to prevent a payless payday yesterday for more than 3,000 government employees.
This marks the first time in CNMI history that government personnel have experienced a delay in the release of their salaries, amid repeated calls from the administration of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to pass austerity legislation.
Most government paychecks should be released on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Exempted from the delayed wages are close to 1,000 critical positions directly involved in public safety or patient care.
