House defends legislation on hiring

The government faces stiff competition from the private sector in trying to keep both of its local and nonresident workers with the necessary training and skills, according to House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta.

He said this is one of the reasons for the decision to extend sunset provisions of an existing law that prohibits the government from hiring foreign workers under a measure passed last week by the lower house.

Some departments and agencies have asked the Legislature to pass the legislation due to lack of local labor pool to fill positions, such as doctors, auditors and engineers, that are currently being occupied by nonresidents.

Mr. Babauta noted only the Public School System has complied with the requirement to phase out foreign staff as stipulated by Public Law 10-4 and other agencies are still dependent on the skills and professional background of their nonresident employees.

To ease the staff shortage, HB 12-285 will extend by five more years from Sept. 30, 2000 such requirement, with additional provisions mandating the agencies to carry out comprehensive training program for local workers.

Sponsored by Rep. Malua T. Peter, the measure is now up for Senate voting where it is expected to be passed since even Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has also expressed concern that the government may not be able to deliver public services without these highly-skilled workers.

“We are more concerned on the governor’s efforts in trying to implement most of the capital improvement projects,” Mr. Babauta told reporters in an interview yesterday.

He stressed the government will need engineers to move ahead with this multimillion-dollar CIP program, although he said they would have preferred locals to occupy positions such as this if the islands have enough human resources.

The Saipan lawmaker likewise raised fear that the private sector has become its tough competitor in keeping its nonresident employees for a long time or in luring locals who have recently graduated in the mainland.

“We are in competing edge with the private sector because I realize that some of these technical people at one time or another will land jobs in the government and then all of a sudden they have to leave because of an offer that is more tempting and better in the private sector,” explained Mr. Babauta.

While he does not have detailed report of this trend, he cited the case of the House of Representative which until now has yet to attract a good number of lawyers on the islands who can become its legal counsel.

It has been seeking applicants since terminating services of Steve Mackenzie last month. Its other legal counsel, Tony S. Cabrera, has reportedly been hired by the Senate.

“We have tapped as many local attorneys as we could. However, they refused to be employed full-time in the government. I don’t blame them,” said Mr. Babauta.