Why does the CNMI accept workforce goals arbitrarily set by faraway federal policymakers when the U. S. itself has consistently failed to meet them?
Insights
‘ Groundhog Day’ and the CNMI workforce issue
“ What is freedom? It is the right to choose one’ s own employment. Certainly it means that, if it means anything.”—
Frederick Douglass
Saipan— I have been reading, learning and writing about the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ workforce issue for over 30 years now, and every time it is discussed publicly, I keep hearing the same generalities and homilies that barely rise above water-cooler banter. It’ s like I’ m in the movie“ Groundhog Day.”
Recently, the CNMI Department of Labor issued a report on the federally created CW Fund program, which derives its funding from a $ 200 fee collected for each CW-1 or CNMI-only guest worker visa petition.( Total upfront costs per CW typically exceed $ 1,300, excluding legal or recruitment expenses. CWs must also be paid the prevailing wage or the federal or CNMI minimum wage, whichever is highest. Those who describe CWs as“ cheap workers” should be told the 1990s have called and want their anti-foreign-labor rhetoric back.)
The CNMI DOL report is supposed to be a“ comprehensive analysis,” but it is actually a press release, if not a“ mission statement,” replete with a tired diagnosis and a well-worn course of action.
Like similar reports, some dating back to the 1970s during the Trust Territory era, the CNMI DOL“ analysis” declares that“ continued reliance on foreign labor in construction, hospitality and healthcare underscores the urgency of strengthening the local workforce.”
There is absolutely no mention of the similar, and equally persistent, labor shortages in the same and other occupations in the U. S., including Guam, Japan, Western Europe and other economically advanced nations with high wage rates and larger populations.
Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that“ Ford is struggling to fill six-figure mechanic jobs.” According to the report,“ The automotive industry has faced a shortage of mechanics for decades and Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley put the issue back in focus in November. Speaking on a podcast, Farley said Ford dealerships have 5,000 open jobs.” These jobs can pay $ 120,000 a year.
In the CNMI, the“ solution” is“ strategic action … to reduce foreign labor dependency, close skill gaps and secure the commonwealth’ s long-term economic resilience.”
How is that any different from a Miss Universe contestant saying she’ s for the children, the elderly, the environment and world peace?
CNMI DOL also says it needs more funding for the CW Fund program, which is funded by the hiring of CWs. So to reduce reliance on CWs, we need to hire … more CWs?
And where is the math in all this? Where are the actual, verifiable figures? How many CWs need to be replaced by U. S. workers, and in what specific jobs? How many U. S. workers does the CNMI have? Why is there no mention of a 2008 Government Accountability Office report, which stated:“ Although [ federal ] legislation and the CNMI government have stated goals of preparing CNMI residents to replace foreign workers, factors such as the limited number of available CNMI residents may impede these efforts’ effectiveness.”( Italics mine.)
CNMI DOL also does not mention that U. S. workers in the CNMI have a wide range of career choices, including moving to the states or other territories. U. S. workers are free to choose which job to take— and where.
In any case, the U. S. and other economically advanced countries that pay high wages and have large populations still need to hire foreign workers for certain jobs, but the tiny, remote CNMI, with an estimated Indigenous population of 17,000, can’ t?
Why does the CNMI accept workforce goals arbitrarily set by faraway federal policymakers when the U. S. itself has consistently failed to meet them?
A real CNMI workforce analysis should include the following:
• A history of the islands’ workforce needs dating back at least to the Japanese period, when the Northern Marianas became economically self-sufficient.
• The various workforce training programs implemented during the Trust Territory administration and the Commonwealth era, and their results.
• The measures taken to promote or require local workforce employment, and their outcomes.
• The actual size of the local workforce population.
• The experience of Guam, the U. S., and other economically developed nations with significant populations that
Why does the CNMI accept workforce goals arbitrarily set by faraway federal policymakers when the U. S. itself has consistently failed to meet them?
continue to experience labor shortages in certain occupations.
CNMI DOL believes the economy should undergo“ structural diversification” to reduce the islands’“ CW-1 dependency.”
OK. So what“ structural diversification” should the CNMI pursue to reduce its dependence on construction workers, healthcare workers, caregivers and service-oriented jobs? A return to the Trust Territory economy, in which government was the“ main industry”? And yet, even during those days, the islands were hiring foreign construction and other workers.
“ To sustain economic growth and ensure resilience beyond 2029 [ when the CW program expires if not extended by the U. S. Congress ], there is an urgent need to invest not only in education, vocational training, and apprenticeship programs that prepare local U. S. workers for critical roles, but also in complementary strategies such as targeted workforce incentives, career development initiatives, partnerships with industry, and policies that encourage local labor participation. These combined efforts can help reduce long-term dependency on foreign labor while strengthening the CNMI’ s economic and workforce capacity.”
Yes. It is 6 a. m. again, and Sonny and Cher are singing,“ I Got You Babe.”
Zaldy Dandan is the editor of the CNMI’ s oldest— and only remaining— newspaper, Marianas Variety. His fourth book,“ If He Isn’ t Insane Then He Should Be: Stories & Poems from Saipan,” is available on amazon. com /.
The opinions expressed here are solely the author ' s and do not reflect the editorial position of the Pacific Island Times.
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