The last remaining garment factories in Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) urged the administrative authorities for lending assistance to ensure their survival in the waning textile industry.
Plea made by the factories essentially evoked the unanimous feeling that if concrete steps were taken by the Government, the garment industry could at least survive if not flourish.
This supplication was put forward by United International Corporation, US CNMI Development, Marianas Garment Manufacturers Inc, Onwel Manufacturing, RIFU Apparel, Neo Fashion Inc, Uno Moda Corporation and Kueng Seung Saipan Inc.
Combined as a group, these companies demanded a reconsideration of major issues like high labor costs, amendment of the special tariff privilege, delay of increase in CNMI minimum wage rates and most importantly a reduction user fees, beautification taxes, excise taxes, and labor processing fees that foreign competition does not pay making their products less expensive.
Although pessimistic about the response from the Government, the companies are hoping that the authorities will stand up to their expectations.