Jill,

SNIP
>Well, yes...having control of our own Immigration, in particular, gives the CNMI the advantage of having cheap foreign labor come here to work. This IS a huge controversy, and, some in the US want this to change (mainly those in the garment industry, masquerading as human rights activists). There are charges of labor abuses here (as there are ALSO in the garment industry in the US, actually). I SURELY do not abide by *** ANY *** abuses, but I believe that most workers here are treated well, and that they are THRILLED to be working. I understand that the workers are able to support their families back home.
>
SNIP

There are a couple of 'rules' that I'd like to see put in place, and I don't really think it would increase the cost of goods very much.
I'd like to see that any company making products (or having them made on their behalf) outside of their head-office country have the following comply to the laws of their head-office country (except where they might conflict with local laws):
1)their facilities comply to the environmental laws;
2)their employees (or contractors) working conditions (lighting, air quality, safety equipment and procedures and the like) comply the applicable laws.

Of course this would only work if this wouldn't incent business to move their head-offices elsewhere, and I guess that isn't going to happen any time soon.

Cheers,

JimN