---

Eliminating Certain Requirements for Hiring Nonresident Workers

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 5, 1998 - President Jacob Nena transmitted to Congress on April 21^st a proposed legislation and urged for its favorable consideration.

The bill would amend section 142 of title 51 of the FSM Code to eliminate the requirement which says that a nonresident or a foreign worker must leave the FSM before he or she is re-employed by a different employer.

Nena assured Congress Speaker Jack Fritz saying that "the time is ripe to revisit this twelve-year old statutory provision, the current effect of which is too burdensome on the private sector that we have collectively decided should be bolstered."

Nena concluded by saying, "I am transmitting herewith a proposed bill that if enacted would eliminate this undesirable requirement. I ask that the Congress consider this measure favorably."

Its original intent of the subject provision was to ensure that an FSM employer should try to fill a vacancy with FSM citizens with similar or comparable qualifications and to repatriate foreign workers who are no longer needed for the job for which he or she was initially recruited or employed.