Job categories that merit special attention

[B]Q: What are the job categories that, according to the Department of Labor, merit special attention?[/B]

A: According to the Public Law 15-108 or the new Labor Reform Law, citizens and permanent residents shall be given a primary preference for employment in the CNMI. Labor says the four job categories that merit special attention are the “A” list, the “B” list, the “C” list, and the “D” list.

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[B] Q: What job categories fall under the “A” and “B” lists?[/B]

A: The new Alien Labor Rules and Regulations state that in the past, certain job classifications were reserved for citizens and permanent residents entirely, or available only on a one-to-one basis with alien workers. The Regulations state that these job classifications under the “A” list continue to merit the most careful attention and emphasis in implementation of the preference for citizens and permanent residents.

Under the “A” list are accounting clerk; bookkeeping clerk; bus driver (including transit, tour, and school bus driver); custodian; hotel front desk clerk; janitor; messenger-courier; receptionist-information clerk; retail trade cashier; secretary (other than legal, medical, and executive); security guard; surface boat operator-motor boat operator; taxi driver-chauffeur; telephone receptionist; and tour guide-escort.

The “B” list are certain jobs, in addition to the “A” list that warrant special efforts to place citizens and permanent residents.

Under the “B” list are accountant; brickmason/blockmason/stonemason; cement mason/concrete finisher; electrician; executive secretary/administrative assistant; heating and airconditioning mechanic; human resource manager; operating engineer and other construction equipment operator; paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator; refrigeration mechanic, installer; service station attendant; ship captain, boat captain; stock clerk, stockroom, warehouse, storage yard; truck driver, light or delivery services.

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Q: What job categories fall under the “C” and “D” lists?

A: “C” list refers to certain jobs that require an orientation or transition period but, after appropriate training or on-the-job training, can readily be filled by citizens and permanent residents.

These are auditing clerk; auto mechanic; carpenter; cook; maintenance building repairer; sales representative; secretary, legal, medical, and executive; stock clerk, sales floor; and warehouse worker.

The “D” list refers to particular jobs that must give preference to citizens and permanent residents in filling any job for which the wage is more than $10 per hour. All jobs for which the wage rate or equivalent salary is $10 per hour or more are included on the “D” list.

These high-paying jobs include assistant manager, housekeeping; customer complaint clerk; diving instructor; financial controller; food & beverage manager; front office manager; guest service manager; inventory controller; kitchen manager; maintenance manager; preschool teacher; sales manager, marketing manager; and station manager.

[I][B]Disclaimer:[/B] Readers should conduct their own research and due diligence and obtain professional legal advice. Saipan Tribune will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by a reader’s reliance on information obtained from this section. Submit questions on labor issues to Saipan Tribune via e-mail at editor@saipantribune.com, or by calling 235-6397, 235-2440, or 235-8747 and leaving a message at Ext. 133 or 135. You may also submit questions in person by writing it down and dropping it off at the Saipan Tribune’s office on the second floor of the CIC Centre on Beach Road, Garapan. [/I]