‘Work with DOL on CW concerns’

About 12 companies have approached the Department of Labor since November 2017 to raise concerns about the 3,000 slots that were cut from the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker program, according to Labor Secretary Vicky I. Benavente.

Although she did not specify those concerns, Benavente still urges businesses to collaborate with CNMI Labor on how they are being affected by these changes.

She also urged business owner to continue to comply with DOL requirements, such as the submission of quarterly reports such as the Quarterly Workforce Listing and copies of the Business Gross Revenue Tax and Withholding Taxes.

The next due date for employers to submit these documents is Jan. 31, 2018, said Benavente, adding that businesses must first post job vacancy announcements on the DOL website, www.marianaslabor.net.

She told Saipan Tribune in an email that Labor has been handing out surveys to all business owners regarding the effects of the CW reduction for fiscal year 2018.

“In December 2017, the Department of Labor began a survey of all CNMI businesses with regard to the number of employees (both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens), the number of CW permits approved, denied, and pending,” said Benavente.

“…We asked the businesses to provide a projection of revenue loss, if any, and what their plans are to mitigate or cope with the reduction of CWs in the workforce,” she added.

Several businesses have reportedly stated that expansion plans have been put on hold; businesses have reduced business hours; and are considering employee reductions.

The possible lay-offs would include U.S. and CNMI residents, Benavente said.

As of publication, DOL has yet to complete the compilation of data and would issue a statement following the results of the survey.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) simultaneously introduced H.R. 4869 and S. 2325 last Jan. 19, 2018.

In S. 2325 and in H.R. 4869, a 10-year extension is being proposed while bumping up the CW annual cap for fiscal year 2019 to 13,000 instead of the 4,999 as set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services last November 2017.

While the cap limit is increased, 500 slots will be reduced annually starting fiscal year 2020. The measure also proposes several changes in securing a CW permit, including the creation of a CW-3 permit for employees who have been working since fiscal year 2014, provided that the applicant exits the CNMI for 30 consecutive days during the renewal period. CW-3 permit holders are allowed to stay in the CNMI for three years at a time.

In a House session last Friday, Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) introduced a joint resolution in support of S. 2325. The House would take action on the resolution in tomorrow’s session, for transmittal to the Senate.