CW permit delays also affecting BSI
Best Sunshine International, Ltd. is also facing the same challenges with the processing of the Commonwealth-only work permits.
According to senior vice president for operations Donald Browne, they had to notify a few of their staff that they can’t report for work yet because of pending CW permits.
Although many of their foreign worker staff are just new on island and have new permits, Browne said they have some that were for renewals also.
“We have new, we have ones that have transferred, and ones that we’ve hired, that were on island already,” Browne said.
“We face the same challenges as everybody else. It’s at the forefront of our discussions every day,” he added.
For new hires, Browne said they have at least 50 pending CW applications for the gaming staff.
“We haven’t been fortunate to have any done in 90 days, to be honest with you. One hundred twenty days seem to be a more…from beginning to end, 120 days,” Browne said.
BSI would need to bring in more staff as they intend to open December this year.
“We’re doing the best we can to train U.S. people here on island to perform those duties but we just have so many positions and we’re going to have 1,500 or 2,000 more in the year,” Browne said.
He added that it’s going to be a mix of local and foreign workers but they can’t train everyone to fill those positions.
“We can’t train that many,” Browne said. “We’re going to train as many as we can, get them in the field here.”
Aside from the staff, BSI would need about 2,000 workers for the construction and completion of the upcoming Grand Mariana Casino & Hotel Resort at the Garapan site.
“At some point, we’re going to need about 2,000 construction workers,” Browne said.
“To finish work, we’re going to need a lot more. Right now, because it’s just pile driving…it’s not full force. When we do the frame structure, that’s when we bring in full workers,” he added.
When asked where they will get the workers, Browne said they will bring in from wherever they can.
“We will get bodies from wherever we can. We’re going to get many locals,” Browne said. “Hopefully we can get local people trained in the construction field as well.”
What this article implies is that the facility at duty free is no longer a training center but a full casino gaming operation. That is a total violation of the law! Is that not right? The commissioners are allowing this to continue. The place is definitely not a classroom and has absolutely no class of distinction from any other gambling dump!
For cinstruction alone best contact large construction companies such as are on Guam (and Hawaii) and subcontract the work. They can/will bring in US Cit workers soit will actually be cheaper in the long run than pulling in Chinese with the paperwork. Also how are all of these workers coming in under CW-1 when there is a cap and will go down next year again.
I still want to know how new workers are to be brought in when the numbers in the NMI are/have being cut.
This is also not only BS but on Tinian also other developments..
That is a good question since these and other Pacific Islands have free travel and work authorization in the US. Even other Insular area with high unemployment rate.
Many of us have asked just how they were able (allowed) tp bring in NEW workers when there is supposed to be a draw down that affects all companies and not allow importation of new workers. (except for replacement of those that exit in some cases.
This is more so ‘interesting’ since the USCIS is controlling the immigration and not the local Govt.
It is “alleged” (evident) that the local Govt has been bought off by BS but with the Federal Govt involved with the permits from afar is questionable.
BUT with the recent events and lack of permit processing for renewals seems that the US has dropped the ball on allowing new hires from outside.
AND why have these “skilled’ people such as dealers been allowed to come in under a CW program when they should have been brought in under an “H” visa?
How many decades have we heard that promise with the same results?
Other than the reference to being “dumb”, I agree with you. We all see it happening. Although, I doubt very much that the people’s voting trend will differ much this coming election. It has nothing to do with being dumb either, but has a lot to do with greed. The tone is set from top to bottom. The “what’s in it for me” attitude stretches from the highest level in government down to the people who vote. Personal gratification. To win an election here in the CNMI it is not what you know and what you can do, but who you are connected to and how brilliant you are at legally using PUBLIC funds to buy votes through employment and other benefits. That is why we complain a lot, but when it comes down to actually doing something about it, we let things slide because we are afraid to lose our own connections. It is a sad thing to say about us, but it is indeed the truth and we can change only when we are able to face our ugly nature.
It’s not what you know or who you know but who you blow. Yes, Juanita and I are dumb, because she and I or me does not have a permanent J O B.
No one NEEDS a permanent job. Everyone is FREE to decide what they want, and neither one of us can make that determination for anyone. However, think about it. WHO has more freedom to tell these businesses to got to hell? WE are! Everyone may think it is laziness. I call it absolute FREEDOM! Except, of course, when you are on food stamp, and THAT, Jun, I AM NOT!
Tell them, during drinks, that they are all delusional! LMBO! BSI was not invited but BROUGHT here. Micronesian? Are you kidding me? NEVER would they think that WE are capable! Sorry, ah?