USDOL OKs CNMI PWS report

The CNMI Department of Commerce announced yesterday that the CNMI’s 2020 Prevailing Wage Study report for the CW-1 visa program had been approved.

In a letter dated Sept. 28, 2020, Renata Adjibodou, deputy administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, informed the CNMI of the approval of the CNMI’s 2020 Prevailing Wage Study report. The new wages will apply to CW-1 determinations beginning Sept. 29, 2020. 

“Lt. Gov. [Arnold I.] Palacios and I extend our appreciation and thanks to Secretary of Labor [Eugene] Scalia, deputy administrator Adjibodou, and her team for their guidance and diligence as they review and approve our 2020 PWS report. This report will assist our local businesses,” said Gov. Ralph DLG Torres. 

A total of 820 Standard Occupational Classification Detailed Titles are found in the U.S. economy “with wage values for the CW-1 visa program” – 484 Detailed Titles were captured by the CNMI 2020 PWS. Out of the 484 CNMI detailed titles, the U.S. Department of Labor reviewed and approved 402 for use in the 2020 PWS wage data, 74 will use Guam’s Occupational Employment Statistics wage data and 344 occupations will be assigned the Adjusted OES wage data, according to USDOL. 

“We have been patiently waiting for the approval of the 2020 PWS. I am glad that deputy administrator Adjibodou and her team have finally completed their review of the report and have approved it. Our local businesses have also been anxiously awaiting the approval of this report. Again, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the deputy administrator and her team for their continued support and the guidance they provide our CNMI PWS team to ensure that this report meets all the statistical standards contained in the CW-1 Interim Final Rule at 20 CFR 55.410(e),” said Commerce Secretary Mark Rabauliman. 

The 2020 PWS CW-1 Wage Table report can be accessed on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/. 

The 2020 PWS Report can be accessed on the CNMI Department of Commerce, Central Statistics Division website at https://ver1.cnmicommerce.com/divisions/central-statistics/report-hub/.

Questions and inquiries regarding the prevailing wage report should be directed to the Central Statistics Division at telephone number 664-3045 or 3023 or email address cnmi.csd@commerce.gov.mp. 

For all other inquiries not related to the survey or the reports, direct them to the CNMI Department of Labor. (PR)