There are doubts that the huge casino project in the Northern Marianas will be complete by August as planned.
The Commonwealth Casino Commission said unless the Hong Kong-based company Imperial Pacific International adds to its workforce of 581, the deadline is likely to be missed.
The project is expected to cost $US507 million and $US334 million has been invested so far.
Officials of the prime contractor, MCC International, have reportedly have fled the CNMI instead of facing charges of recruiting and putting to work Chinese tourists on the construction site.
MCC International also reportedly didn't pay the illegal workers.