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DPW’s Reyes push for ‘indefinite’ extension in hiring alien workers
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Posted on Jul 15 2005
Public Works Secretary John S. Reyes is asking the Legislature to extend the department’s authority to hire nonresident workers “indefinitely” or until the current personnel shortage is resolved.
The Department of Public Works currently employs five nonresident workers within the Technical Services Division, whose employment expires on Sept. 30 this year, as mandated by Public Law 13-62.
“We are once again requesting your favorable and timely assistance…to grant additional extension…to hire nonresident workers, such as engineers and architects, up to an indefinite time until such time that DPW is able to adequately replace its nonresident workers,” said Reyes in a recent letter to the Legislature.
He said there is still a need for “more time” to totally replace the nonresident workers with local workers “because of the continuous hard-to-fill positions in the areas of engineering and architectural requirements,” he said.
Reyes said the department has actively recruited local and U.S. staff to replace the guest workers.
The number of nonresident personnel, he said, went down to five from seven in January 2002.
He said that from October 2002 to January 2003, DPW hired two local/U.S. engineers and two local architects. From March 2004 to August 2004, one electrical plan reviewer was also hired. He said some other local residents are being trained to take up the posts of guest workers.
“DPW has provided continuous efforts in ensuring that its local workforce participates in every opportunity to enhance or upgrade their knowledge and skills whenever available,” said Reyes.
The secretary’s request for hiring extension came as the Legislature is taking up a bill that aims to grant the Department of Public Health a 10-year extension to hire nonresident personnel.
House Bill 14-344 is now awaiting action at the Senate.
