Thousands of CNMI government employees will not receive their paychecks in time for New Year celebrations as the Fitial administration reports its worst cash collection to date.
Many government employees and officials are already subject to a 16-hour pay cut for every two-week pay period and unpaid holidays.
Because of the severe cash shortage, the government may also be unable to release payroll for priority or so-called critical government employees such as doctors, nurses, police officers, fire fighters and corrections officers.
Whether they will get paid on Friday will depend on cash collections and funding availability today and Friday.