Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a team of Mongolian construction workers have been trapped in the Pacific on the US territory of Guam. The Mongolians have been working for Imperial Pacific International (IPI), which is part of a Chinese investment holding company specialising on building casinos. The following is US coverage of the case:

Attorney Michael Dotts told the federal court that progress has been made in repatriating Imperial Pacific International’s Mongolian construction workers. He said IPI, which he represents, is hopeful that the employees can return to their home country in early May.

Construction work at the IPI casino-resort site remains suspended as ordered by the court, Dotts added.

In IPI’s 14th status report filed with the District Court for the NMI on Monday, Dotts said, “IPI employee housing still has power. Food services have continued without interruption for all IPI H-2B workers.” IPI’s next payday (payroll 9) is April 23, he added.

Dotts also informed the court that the Bank of Guam has requested until April 30 to produce documents sought by a subpoena served to BOG for copies of cancelled checks issued by IPI to its employees.

This is in relation to the recently approved amended consent judgment between IPI and the U.S. Department of Labour to assure that checks to IPI’s employees have cleared.