A joint operation in Angaur was conducted on August 15, 2024 involving Officers from the Labor Compliance Office taking the lead in this operation with the ongoing support from the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) which resulted in five (5) persons being detained. The purpose of such visit involved the inspection and compliance checks which are normally done in compliance with the labor standards, occupational safety, health and other laws in Palau. The BCBP Officers, mainly Immigration, Customs and Biosecurity focused on those persons who may also be employed or residing in Palau without a valid visa or status. At the same time, BCBP Officers were responsible for determining the nationality and identity of those persons who may have overstayed and breached their immigration status.
During such visit, there were two persons who were issued citations by labor for engaging in outside employment and later released. Another person who was present in Palau on a Tourist Visa was working. Apparently, the work permit invoice was ready since June 28, 2024, but the employer failed to pick up the invoice at the labor office. Both the employer and employee came the next day to the labor office and received the invoice.
As for the remaining two (2) workers, one had an expired provisional visa and the employer was issued a fine by Immigration for overstaying and advised that the employee must self-depart within ten (10) days of the Notice. The last person was found working while on a tourist visa did not have any work permit or provisional visa. Apparently, the employer failed to process his work permit resulting in Immigration revoking the tourist visa. The person eventually departed on August 20, 2024 after the employer paid for his ticket.
On August 20, 2024, other locations and sites in Ngaraard, Aimeliik, Airai and Koror were visited as well. All employees at the site were verified by labor and were in compliance and cleared to resume their work.
These operations were a part of their ongoing efforts between the Labor Compliance Office and the BCBP to combat activities that violate the country’s laws and regulations. According to the Director, BCBP, it is important for all employers to take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment and this is just one way for our agencies to ensure that the laws are enforced.