Bill wants alien workers’ transfer abolished

Nonresident workers may no longer transfer from one employer to another if a legislative measure that proposes to repeal a statute allowing the transfers becomes law.

House Rep. Joseph DeLeon Guerrero introduced House Bill 14-22, which has been pending before the Judicial and Governmental Operations and the Commerce and Tourism committees. Possible action by the House on the measure may come months after the adoption of Labor regulations that now allow nonresident workers to engage in multiple employments.

The bill seeks to repeal the section of the Commonwealth Code that provides for procedures and requirements for nonresident workers to transfer from one employer to another during the period of an existing contract and after such contract expires.

This law allows nonresident workers up to 45 days after the expiration of his employment contract to seek new employment if the contract is not renewed.

It also allows nonresident workers to transfer from one employer to another and change job category, subject to certain requirements.

The code section incorporates amendments created by Public Law 12-11, also known as the Omnibus Labor and Business Reform Act of 2000, which took effect on Aug. 3, 2000.

“We do not believe that it is in the interest of the Commonwealth to stifle commerce by enacting restrictive laws, especially when our economy is in great need of revitalization,” states the Act.

“The Legislature further finds that, although there is a need to protect jobs for our local residents, if there is no qualified local person to fill a business need, then the government should adopt policies to help business meet its staffing needs,” it adds.

The Act also noted the Legislature’s recognition of the need to encourage new business development through little government intrusion.

Just last week, the lower chamber passed a bill that seeks to authorize the Public School System to establish a technical education program and convert the Marianas High School into a technical school to minimize the CNMI’s dependence on nonresident workers.

The bill identifies $25 of every initial application and renewal fees for nonresident workers’ certificates among the project’s source of funds. The House’s Education Committee concluded that there is a need to integrate technical curriculum in public high schools to prepare students for higher education or immediate employment.

Last Thursday, the House also passed a bill that seeks to enhance the CNMI’s data system on the availability of resident workers, partly proposing the conduct of surveys on future employment plans, skills and job preferences of graduating high schools students.

House Bill 14-228, also known as the Local Employment Assurance Act of 2004, wants to enhance the current system of registration, referral, and other employment services to assist potential resident workers in securing jobs.