By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE Legislature’s labor committee will be holding a roundtable meeting this week to discuss the development of the island’s workforce in view of the expected spike in construction activities brought about by the transfer of 8,000 Marines to Guam.
Sen. Jesse Lujan, who heads the committee, has invited 14 government and private sector executives to discuss with committee members and other senators, the progress or lack of progress toward meeting the anticipated demand for skilled labor through the Guam Apprenticeship Act and other government programs.
This discussion continues a series of hearings conducted by Lujan on labor force development, in anticipation of construction and other increased economic activity attendant to plans to station additional military forces on Guam.
During an earlier roundtable on the same subject held last August, it was determined that Guam would be needing up to 20,000 foreign workers to be able to construct the facilities needed for the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa.
In that meeting, which was attended by officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency invited by Lujan, local contractors said they are looking to tap the huge labor pool in the Philippines to add to the limited number of construction workers on island.
According to James Martinez, executive director of the Guam Contractors Association, his group is already eyeing the hiring of skilled laborers from the neighboring islands like the Federated States of Micronesia as well as skilled Chamorro workers now residing in the mainland, but Martinez admitted that this might not be a feasible alternative.
Some $5 billion worth of development projects have been set for Guam by the Department of Defense as the military continues to expand its presence on the island.
As with other legislative roundtable discussions, Lujan said the public is invited to attend and observe this Thursday’s meeting, but public testimony and comments will not be received during the meeting. Public comments, however, are welcome before or after the discussion.
Lujan said his committee is planning an active series of public meetings and hearings on this subject, and to consider other aspects of labor policy.
Another meeting will be scheduled in mid-March.