‘CNMI should seek 5-year extension of transition period’

 The CNMI will continue to need the services of foreign workers even after the implementation of Public Law 110-229 or the federalization law, and so it must start lobbying for an extension of the five-year duration of the transition program which ends on November 2014.

Immigration lawyer Maya B. Kara said on Thursday that it is “absolutely crucial” that the Commonwealth seek the five-year extension with “as much political pressure” and “in a timely manner” for the benefit of the island economy which has depended on labor work force for years.

“I’m looking at having a five-year extension that needs to be in place before three years runs out. We can’t wait for three years to start thinking about it,” Kara told Saipan Tribune in an interview after her presentation at the “HR: Navigating Through Change,” a conference sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management-NMI Chapter.

According to Kara, there is “not enough bodies” that would constitute the workforce needed to sustain the local economy despite qualified U.S. workers getting hired for the jobs.

Kara noted, however, that efforts to seek for a five-year extension should begin soon, given that the Commonwealth has this “emergency mentality” wherein they prepare for a disaster or crisis only until the last minute.

“Start revving up your political machine and start talking to decision makers and make sure that that extension is applied for timely,” said Kara, adding that she plans to address this concern to different groups of employers, including the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

Although Kara said it would be “best” if the five-year extension efforts would come from the local government, she described the administration as “hostile” when it comes to the issue on foreign workers.

“I’m hoping people will start lobbying for this five-year extension because it’s going to be a disaster if they don’t,” she added.

Besides seeking the five-year extension of the federalization transition, Kara also underscored the need for businesses to start investing on training U.S. workers.

“Sooner or later, the difficulties and the expenditure of primary resources with the hiring and retaining of foreign workers is not going to go away,” said Kara. “So the more resources you put into training U.S. workers that you don’t have to go through this hassle with, the better for your business.”

Kara said training and hiring U.S. workers will be to the advantage of local businesses since adjudicators of Commonwealth-only status petitions will be soon be educated about and get used to CNMI conditions that the system will “get tighter” as things improve.

“I think the system will improve overtime but it’s not enough. I think we’re still going to need training, increase in local participation, and continue to have foreign workers,” she said.