CNMI contractors in doubt amid worker woes

1:21 pm on 20 April 2017

The company building a casino resort in the Northern Marianas is reconsidering the further use of several of its contractors and subcontractors working on its site on Saipan.

Saipan in the Northern Marianas.

Saipan in the Northern Marianas. Photo: Supplied

Imperial Pacific International CNMI has confirmed that it may cancel several contracts after more worker protests weighed heavily on its public perception and the price of its stock in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The move came after a third construction worker protest in a week.

The contractors were alleged to have withheld wages after charging exorbitant recruitment fees.

They are also accused of using workers who entered the CNMI as tourists.

The company also admitted that the construction worker crisis has slowed down work but despite the setback, Imperial Pacific says it still trying to open the casino as soon as possible.