Eleven construction workers from the Philippines have filed a lawsuit against RNV Construction and its affiliates.

Their allegations include forced labor, wage violations, and breach of contract. RNV’s General Manager Ruel Villacrusis is one of the defendants and denies all the allegations.

“Since the inception of RNV in 1998, I don't have any delayed salary. Actually, I give even cash advance. So these are all lies for them to stay legally in the island. And I pity these workers because maybe somebody is behind them to sue me for whatever purpose they may have in mind,” said Villacrusis.

He also responded to allegations of unsanitary living conditions.

“I'm open for inspection. We have our own safety officer. I think maybe I'm not the best on the island, but they can rent somewhere else if they don't want, because it's not mandatory to stay in the house that we can provide,” added Villacrusis.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs Aaron Halegua and Colin Thompson told KUAM News: “We are honored to represent these brave clients as they seek to hold their former employer accountable despite the alleged intimidation and retaliation against them. We hope that this will encourage other foreign workers in the CNMI who have suffered labor abuses to come forward and enforce their rights.”

The general manager questions the timing of the case.

“Now If I'm a bad employer, why did they wait for nine years or eight years before they filed a case,” he said.

Halegua responded to that question and told KUAM News, “There is a reason that Congress created a 10-year statute of limitations for workers to file forced labor claims.”

KUAM asked, “You believe you run a legal, safe, sanitary operation here that is fair to your workers?”

Villacrusis responded simply with a, “Yes.”