Page 32 - IB JAN 2017

Business

More work,

fewer workers

Deadline looms for Northern Mari ana Islands

The construction boom in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands faces a setback by the non availability of workers when the “CW-1” program expires.
Photo: Pacific Islands Times
by JONATHAN PEREZ The program, a unique work visa another five-year extension that’s why
Pacific Islands Times classification from other US states and the 2019 deadline.
territories, encourages businesses and Governor Ralph Torres, however,
other companies to employ more local along with CNMI Delegate Gregorio Sa-
ONCE the clock turns 12 midnight on De-
cember 31, 2019, a cloud of uncertainty residents or US citizens, eventually blan and the business community—the
would hang in the air in the Northern allowing foreign workers to find alter- Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Hotel
Mariana Islands. That is the expiration native immigration status before the Association of the Northern Mariana
Islands, Society for Human Resources
transition period ends.
date of the CNMI - only transitional
worker nonimmigrant visa program, It was established through the 2008 Management, and Strategic Economic
better known as “CW-1.” Consolidated Natural Resources Act or Development Council—are lobbying for
The CW-1 program allows eligible Public Law 110-229 that puts a cap on another 10-year extension and increas-
foreign laborers to work in the CNMI the number of foreign workers that de- ing the CW-1 cap to 18,000 as the CNMI
faces labor shortage with all the ongoing
creases every year until it reaches zero
while giving their employers ample time
to change some of their hiring practices after 2019. developments and heavy investments
toward acquiring more from the local The foreign worker permit system was taking place.
workforce or transitioning their guest only a five-year program that began in
workers to suitable US work visas if ever 2009 and should have ended in 2014 Construction boom
but the US Citizenship and Immigration
they want to keep their services. Best Sunshine International is build-
Service granted the CNMI government ing a casino and hotel resort, the Grand
32 Islands Business, January 2017