Late Prevailing Wage Survey equals late Temporary Labor Certifications. <\/p>\n
At least that\u2019s how Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) sees it. He blames the delays in the U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s issuance of TLCs on the CNMI\u2019s delay in coming up with the Prevailing Wage Survey. That should have been done sooner, he said. <\/p>\n
To that, the Torres administration noted that the survey\u2019s timeline was intended to ensure accuracy.<\/p>\n
Responding to a Saipan Tribune inquiry about delays in USDOL\u2019s issuance of TLCs that are required to apply for a CW-1 petition, Sablan said, \u201cThat is taking time primarily because the [PWS] was done later than we should have.\u201d <\/p>\n
He pointed out that the Commonwealth was responsible for the PWS.<\/p>\n
Sablan did note, however, that employers who need assistance with either the application for a Labor certification or a CW permit may approach his congressional office in Susupe.<\/p>\n
Sablan noted in a previous statement that the additional steps in the CW renewal process are meant to ensure that \u201cemployment of the CW [foreign] worker will not take a job from a qualified U.S. worker nor bring down the wages of U.S. workers who are similarly employed.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Torres administration noted that the 2019 PWS was done while waiting for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to release new regulations on the CNMI Workforce Act of 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile waiting for the regulations\u2026federal partners from the U.S. Department of Labor communicated to us at the end of 2018 that a brand-new [PWS] had to be conducted in order for employers to receive a temporary labor certification,\u201d said press secretary Kevin Bautista in the statement. \u201cThe process took about four months to complete in order to ensure accuracy with our federal partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
That required the Office of the Governor, CNMI Department of Labor, and CNMI Department of Commerce collaborating with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce \u201cin order to conduct a survey that presented a clear and accurate picture of the CNMI\u2019s economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement also stressed the Governor\u2019s Office also communicated with USCIS to expedite the publication of the new regulations.<\/p>\n
When asked, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce noted that several of their members have experienced delays in procuring the TLC, which is one of the several new steps needed in order to even submit a CW petition with USCIS. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hopeful USCIS will come up with the new regulations addressing all the issues related to the CNMI Workforce Act. Businesses would like clarity\u2026with the regulations out as soon as possible. This would assist the businesses in planning for their future and helping them better communicate to their CW staff what they should expect for the renewal process,\u201d a statement from the Chamber noted. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time, there are some businesses trying to decide whether it is worth continuing business in the CNMI with so much ambiguity around our labor market, which will have snowballing effects on our economy. We are currently in communication with [Sablan] and his office so we can work collaboratively to address these issues,\u201d the Chamber statement added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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