Teno vetoes proposed employment agency for local students

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has thumbed down a proposed employment referral program for local students returning to the CNMI to work as it would only duplicate the functions of an existing agency responsible for finding jobs for resident workers.

He also said that existing laws already require employers to give priority to locals in job placements before they can hire nonresident workers to fill up available positions where there are no qualified applicants.

While commending its intent, the governor vetoed the proposal contained in House Bill 11-472 partly because it would entail additional costs at a time when the government is observing tight spending measures.

In addition, the Scholarship Office is currently updating and compiling a list of both CNMI students attending college and recent graduates for referral to the Division of Employment Services for future jobs on the island.

“Since, under the current law, employers are mandated to hire resident workers before they could be allowed to bring in nonresident workers, and we are putting in place a procedure to identify returning students who are available and capable of assuming these jobs, I do not believe that this proposed legislation is necessary at this time,” said Mr. Tenorio.

The information, which include field of studies, expected graduation date, among others, will help these returning students get jobs in local companies with the assistance of the division that is directly under the Department of Labor and Immigration.

“I believe this usage of currently existing government resources is more desirable than creating yet another agency of government and requiring the hiring of still more employees during this time of austerity,” the governor added in his veto message.

Since the laws giving priorities to resident workers are in place, the forthcoming list will help the Division of Labor enforce these regulations, he added.

Sponsored by Rep. David M. Apatang, the bill came amid complaints that such laws are not being followed by employers due to failure by authorities to enforce them.

Lawmakers had hoped the legislation called the College Graduate Employment Referral Program Act of 1999 would have helped lessened reliance by the CNMI on foreign manpower.

Covered under the program would be CNMI residents who are graduates of the Northern Marianas College as well as universities in the mainland and other countries, including technical, vocational courses, master’s and doctorate degrees.

It sought a registration fee ranging from $5 to $120 for prospective employers who were to be part of the program, while providing them incentives like refund of nonresident worker’s fee and income tax credit once they agree to hire these returning students.

But Mr. Tenorio stressed the fee paid by employers for each nonresident worker hired could not be refunded as DOLI would have already spent that amount in processing the documents.

He also junked the proposed incentive package in fear it would entail considerable administrative time and expenses, such as modification and printing of new tax forms as well as a change of tax program.

“It does not seem to be cost effective to make all these changes plus adopt related rules and regulations when these objectives can be accomplished more effectively and at less cost using government resources that are currently available,” said Mr. Tenorio.