In a bid to stop the Garment Workers Trust Fund from donating US $625,000 in leftover funds from the settlement of a $20 million Saipan garment class action suit, garment workers filed a temporary restraining order and notice for preliminary injunction in the US District Court.
But it was a bit too late as the Trust Fund apprehending protests from the workers called the representatives of the 14 charitable agencies well before the scheduled time, who were then handed over the cheques, which included the American Red Cross (NMI Chapter) and Karidat.
Defending his decision, the Chairman of the Trust Fund, Timothy Bellas said that he was only following a court order to distribute funds to charitable organisations. At the same time a number of workers and their families were protesting outside the office of Timothy Bellas.
According to the garment workers, it was their group which needed the charity as the compensation package doled out by the Trust Fund was a pittance to what was given to the charity organisations. A few workers have received compensation packages amounting to just $75 after having put in between 5-9 years of service.
But it was a bit too late as the Trust Fund apprehending protests from the workers called the representatives of the 14 charitable agencies well before the scheduled time, who were then handed over the cheques, which included the American Red Cross (NMI Chapter) and Karidat.
Defending his decision, the Chairman of the Trust Fund, Timothy Bellas said that he was only following a court order to distribute funds to charitable organisations. At the same time a number of workers and their families were protesting outside the office of Timothy Bellas.
According to the garment workers, it was their group which needed the charity as the compensation package doled out by the Trust Fund was a pittance to what was given to the charity organisations. A few workers have received compensation packages amounting to just $75 after having put in between 5-9 years of service.
