The latest prevailing wage survey for the CNMI took center stage during yesterday\u2019s Saipan Chamber of Commerce meeting at Kanoa Resort\u2019s Seaside Hall, with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres describing it as \u201cthe largest and fastest prevailing wage survey in CNMI government\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the meeting\u2019s main speakers, Torres said that, with this feat, economic growth has driven wages higher than any other time on record.<\/p>\n
He credits his administration\u2019s successful collaboration with the Chamber to come up with the prevailing wage survey.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the hardships that have fallen on us, this last year has been one of unprecedented partnership between the public and private sectors,\u201d he told Chamber members. <\/p>\n
Torres said that the economy would have crashed and the tourism industry harmed had the CW-1 program been phased out.<\/p>\n
The Torres administration, in partnership with the Chamber and members of the private sector, were able to get an extension of the CW-1 application period for fiscal year 2020, in recognition of the delays that have occurred in the first year of the NMI U.S. Workforce Act\u2019s implementation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have continued the necessary discussion about further amending the NMI U.S. Workforce Act to recognize the realities on the ground and craft sensible policy that will allow us to grow our U.S. eligible workforce, along with our economy,\u201d Torres said. <\/p>\n
Last year, Torres was informed that the federal government wanted to end the access to tourists from the People\u2019s Republic of China. In response, the Torres administration convened its second 902 consultation. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn partnership with the private sector, we made our case to the federal government\u2026and in a time of divisive immigration conversations, we secured our tourism arrivals through discussion, negotiation, and facts,\u201d Torres said. <\/p>\n
Chamber president Velma Palacios thanked Torres and Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) for their efforts to keep businesses in the CNMI alive by fighting for the CW-1 program. <\/p>\n
Torres told the Chamber that he will be forming the Governor\u2019s Council of Economic Advisors, who will be made to understand the needs of the private sector and will be providing necessary insight to the CNMI\u2019s regulatory system, and help guide policies to support businesses. <\/p>\n
\u201cI ask for your patience as we continue the important work of building this economy to new heights and I look forward to continuing the amazing partnership we have developed,\u201d Torres told the Chamber. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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