Three tier system shows wide disparity
By Kristi Eaton
SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Nov. 28, 2008) – As a result of the large number of foreign workers in the CNMI, the economy developed a two-tiered structure, with the upper tier earning thrice more than the lower tier, according to an economic impact report released showing the impacts of federal regulations on the Commonwealth.
"The upper tier is [composed] of high-wage workers, most of which are U.S.-qualified residents employed in government and various private businesses," the report states. "The lower tier is [composed] of low-wage workers, most of which are foreign workers employed in the apparel and visitor industries."
The average annual labor income was $12,917 in 1995.
On average, foreign workers earned $7,792 per year, while local workers earned $24,423 per year-more than three times foreign workers, according to the report.
"While the incomes of foreign workers were well...