:: Find Saipan ::

Now days, the economical crises at hand is what people talk about. Schools are underfunded, the hospital is understaffed, the college is going to have cut backs and the minimum wage is going up. One forgets about the other issues at hand. Like the passing of Buddhi Dhimal, a formal L&T security guard who set himself on fire at the Department of Labor. He has died after arriving to St. Luke’s Hospital in Quzeon City. I am sure most people have forgotten about this person since this incited on April 24, 2007. One also has to ask why did it take so long for this person to get the care he needed. Everyone knows of the inadequacy of the local hospital in this island in treating intensive care patients. Also the fact that Monday was Memorial Day, when driving around the island I couldn’t notice but not one person/business was seen giving any indications what the significance Monday was to them. It saddens me how quickly people forget about the sacrifice others make, whether small; like Mr. Dhimal trying to find a way to support his family or big; like the men and women who served our nations and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we so enjoy.

Okay so it is finally here the dreaded and all fearing minimum wage increase. Slated to start on July 24, 2007 at an increase of a fifty cents, the minimum wage in the CNMI will be 3.55cents. Sadly that’s almost enough to buy you a gallon of gasoline. In an island where almost all class of people has to drive to acquire even the basic of needs. It’s still a sad state of affairs. Lets put this into perspectives a family of 4, let’s say immigrants/contract workers living and working here in the island of Saipan. Lets also say bother parents are working and both kids are in Middle/High School. Given they both work 40hours a week with no over time. They bring in about 488 every pay period for both or about 1k a month.
 
2 adult working at current minimum wage jobs at 40 hours a week.
2(adult)x40(hours)x2(week)x3.05(current minimum wage) = 488.00
 
Lets factor in some basic expenses for a month.
Rental one bed/one bath: 300 USD
Food at 100USD a week: 400 USD
Power/water low consumption: 100USD
Gas for a small compact car: 50USD                                    total : 850USD a month
 
This is assuming they already have a working car, and all other household needs. They have 150USD a month to save if that is possible.
 
2(adult)x40(hours)x2(week)x3.55(current minimum wage) = 568.00
 
That translate to 286USD for our above family, that .55cents almost doubled there saving month. It’s not much but I bet it’s a big bonus for the basic workers of this island. Of course, granted if one of them doesn’t get laid off because of downsizing within the company because of the minimum wage increase.
 
I do fear the state of affairs in this island I have come to call home. I worry that this winter will be a lot worse then last winter. I worry that more and more people, bright and capable people will be leaving this island for better opportunities else were. So many of my friends have moved on or in the process of moving on .. I am sure its same with many people on this island.