IPI faces lawsuit over Saipan construction work

Imperial Pacific has been sued over alleged human trafficking and forced labour at their construction site in Saipan.

Northern Mariana Islands.- The controversial development of Imperial Pacific International in Saipan has added yet another chapter to its turbulent history as the Hong Kong-listed company is facing a lawsuit in the Northern Mariana Islands. Workers have sued the developer over alleged forced labour and human trafficking in the island.

Seven Chinese workers for the company filed the lawsuit with the Federal Court in Saipan and are seeking monetary compensation for pain and suffering as well as punitive damages.

In the filing, workers said: “One Gold Mantis supervisor, who had already physically beaten another employee, threatened to kill plaintiffs if they disobeyed him.”

The Saipan Casino Control Commission recently agreed with Imperial Pacific International to extend its integrated resort (IR) completion deadline until February 28, 2021. The IR was expected to be completed by August 31, 2018, but IPI said it would miss the deadline due to “the drastic reduction and non-availability of sufficient skilled and qualified construction labourers locally in Saipan and mainland USA.”