5-year CW extension OK’d

Posted on May 29 2014

Tag: CNMI, CW, OK, Saipan Tribune Thursday

U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez has extended the CW program for five years or up to 2019, Gov. Eloy S. Inos told Saipan Tribune Thursday morning. Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) also confirmed the decision, in a press release.

Sablan and Inos have been requesting the U.S. Labor secretary to extend the Commonwealth-only worker program ahead of the July 4 deadline to make a decision.

“Obviously, this was not an easy decision for the Secretary. It took more time than I wanted. But now we have to look forward. We have to use this extra five years to build the economic recovery in our islands and redouble efforts to replace foreign workers with U.S. workers,” Sablan said in a statement.

Perez’s decision to extend the CW program means the CNMI will continue to have immediate access to some 10,000 skilled and professional foreign workers beyond Dec. 31, 2014. This comes at a time when the CNMI economy is on its way to recovery and major construction projects are underway.

Full story on Friday’s paper.

Haidee V. Eugenio | Reporter

Haidee V. Eugenio has covered politics, immigration, business and a host of other news beats as a longtime journalist in the CNMI, and is a recipient of professional awards and commendations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental achievement award for her environmental reporting. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

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