By Haidee V. Eugenio
Variety Assistant Editor

IN three years, the number of nonresident workers in the CNMI may fall to 15,000 or about half of the 27,903 work permits issued to foreign workers in 2006, according to the latest government data.
The Department of Labor reported a 16 percent drop in the number of work permits issued to nonresidents — from 33,294 in 2005 to 27,903 in 2006.
The drop has been attributed to the closure of at least 12 garment factories since Jan. 2005, as well as the closure of other businesses.
Work permits issued to the garment industry dropped by 27 percent to 10,089 in 2006, compared to 13,922 in 2005; 14,512 in 2004; 16,639 in 2000; and 14,833 in 1999.
“If the trends in the apparel industry continue and the local economy cannot produce jobs for U.S. citizens and nonresident workers currently unemployed, it is very possible that by the year 2010, the number of nonresident workers will fall to 15,000 and the total population will be in the 60,000-65,000 range,” said Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez as part of his Feb. 8 testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Citing data from the 2000 Census and the 2003 CNMI American Community Survey, Villagomez said the unemployment rate was estimated at 5.5 percent in 2003 and is probably much higher at the present time.
He said only about 6 percent of the 1,265 residents registered with the CNMI Labor office found employment.
Villagomez added that some 800 residents recently signed up for the Medicaid program — which helps indigent patients pay for their medical expenses — for which they were previously not qualified.
Other alien work permits issued included 8,480 for the services sector; 2,375 for the hotel industry; 1,900 for the construction industry; 1,699 for household workers; 1,279 for restaurants; 653 for farmers; 540 for night clubs/bars; 424 for tourism; 236 for the government; 181 for security services; 17 for fishing; and 15 each for manpower and banking.
But earlier, the Fitial administration said Labor and Immigration Identification System numbers do not refer to the headcount of nonresident workers in the CNMI.
“Please bear in mind that consensual transfers and contract amendments, including reduction in work hours, would also be counted as new work permits, even though the total number of nonresident workers may not rise,” Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. earlier said.