Temp jobs program to start accepting applicants

The Workforce Investment Agency, through the National Emergency Grant, announced yesterday that interested and eligible individuals may start applying for about 2,000 temporary jobs beginning next week.

The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium has been designated as headquarters for receiving applications on Saipan, while NEG staff on Rota and Tinian will designate areas at their respective islands.

Like the emergency food assistance last month, the NEG program would entertain applicants on a day-to-day schedule depending on last names.

Saipan and Tinian applicants with last names between A and C may apply on Monday, Oct. 25; D to H on Tuesday, Oct. 26; and I to M on Oct. 27. Tinian applicants with last names N to Z and Saipan applicants between N to S will be entertained on Oct. 28. Oct. 29 is designated for Saipan applicants with names between T to Z, and Tinian applicants for open enrollment. Open enrollment for Saipan will be on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Rota applicants with names between A and C may apply on Oct. 26; D to H on Oct. 27; I to M on Oct. 28; and N to Z on Oct. 29. Open enrollment is set for Oct. 30.

Services on Saipan will be between 7:30am to 4:30pm. NEG staff on Tinian and Rota will designate times for services.

According to NEG project director Jesse P. Stein, about $2 million was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide temporary jobs intended at assisting with cleaning up of typhoon debris, assisting in flood-prevention, mitigation, recovery efforts, debris removal and repair work due to the effects of Supertyphoon Chaba. Funds are also intended at aiding unemployed workers. Jobs will be within government agencies.

Stein said approved applicants would be paid $8 per hour for a labor-intensive 40-hour workweek. About 350 to 400 jobs are available for Rota, 250-300 for Tinian, and 1,200 to 1,300 for Saipan. Employment through the grant will last each employee six months or 1,040 hours.

“We are very pleased to have received the grant, although the amount is less than what we originally requested. Nevertheless, we will work with what we have for now,” Stein said. “It will be years before we know the full cost of this disaster; however, the CNMI’s economic future depends upon immediate cleanup and repair of the infrastructure. We intend to work very closely with local officials and worksite partners to ensure these jobs recovery funds go a long way toward providing the people of the CNMI with replacement wages and cleaning up our ravaged island community.”

Further, Stein said the program would be available only for citizens of the United States, Federated States of Micronesia or those with Immediate Relative status or green cards. Individuals who arrived on island after the typhoon would not be eligible. All applicants must be 18 years old or older and must provide proof of qualifications, including a valid passport, proof of valid Immediate Relative status, proof of valid green card, and proof of residency in the Commonwealth.

Also, the program is intended only for unemployed individuals, either permanent or temporary. Individuals currently employed would not be granted a slot. Those currently employed who quit or resign from their posts would also not be granted slots through the program.

“The program will provide temporary jobs for those who lost their jobs due to the disaster, including dislocated workers, those who have been unemployed for a long time, or those who are temporarily unemployed,” said Alfredo O. Antolin Jr., policy advisor at the Guam NEG office.

Further, Stein said WIA, in collaboration with the Division of Employments Services of the Department of Labor, Immigration services, and the Office on Vocational Rehabilitation, would all take part in ensuring eligibilities and qualifications of each applicant.

WIA and the Gov. Juan N. Babauta applied for the grant on Sept. 10, and received word of being granted funds on Oct. 8.

Babauta expressed appreciation to Guam Gov. Felix Camacho and his staff from the AHRD, Antolin Jr., Geraldine A. Quintanilla-Flores, Romulo T. Junio, and Joleen C. Santos for their “tireless effort in helping the government of CNMI apply for the NEG program.”

The NEG are discretionary funds under the Dislocated Worker Program of WIA and the U.S. Department of Labor. It is awarded to states and territories to assist with major economic dislocations.