Torres applauds Chamber for PWS

The latest prevailing wage survey for the CNMI took center stage during yesterday’s Saipan Chamber of Commerce meeting at Kanoa Resort’s Seaside Hall, with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres describing it as “the largest and fastest prevailing wage survey in CNMI government’s history.”

As the meeting’s main speakers, Torres said that, with this feat, economic growth has driven wages higher than any other time on record.

He credits his administration’s successful collaboration with the Chamber to come up with the prevailing wage survey.

“Despite the hardships that have fallen on us, this last year has been one of unprecedented partnership between the public and private sectors,” he told Chamber members.

Torres said that the economy would have crashed and the tourism industry harmed had the CW-1 program been phased out.

The Torres administration, in partnership with the Chamber and members of the private sector, were able to get an extension of the CW-1 application period for fiscal year 2020, in recognition of the delays that have occurred in the first year of the NMI U.S. Workforce Act’s implementation.

“We have continued the necessary discussion about further amending the NMI U.S. Workforce Act to recognize the realities on the ground and craft sensible policy that will allow us to grow our U.S. eligible workforce, along with our economy,” Torres said.

Last year, Torres was informed that the federal government wanted to end the access to tourists from the People’s Republic of China. In response, the Torres administration convened its second 902 consultation.

“In partnership with the private sector, we made our case to the federal government…and in a time of divisive immigration conversations, we secured our tourism arrivals through discussion, negotiation, and facts,” Torres said.

Chamber president Velma Palacios thanked Torres and Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) for their efforts to keep businesses in the CNMI alive by fighting for the CW-1 program.

Torres told the Chamber that he will be forming the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, who will be made to understand the needs of the private sector and will be providing necessary insight to the CNMI’s regulatory system, and help guide policies to support businesses.

“I ask for your patience as we continue the important work of building this economy to new heights and I look forward to continuing the amazing partnership we have developed,” Torres told the Chamber.