One of the laws, authored by Vice Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz, requires exit clearances from the hospital before temporary alien workers are allowed to leave Guam (Public Law 31-87).
Other law provisions state:
• notices of job opportunities shall be transmitted to each mayor before they are given to alien workers (Public Law 31-122);
• penalties can now be levied on any company allowing alien workers to participate in the decisions to hire for jobs on Guam (Public Law 31-121); and
• approved H-2B certifications shall be posted online (Public Law 31-124).
“I appreciate the governor’s approval of these four measures,” Cruz said. “I look forward to working with him on other initiatives
intended to help local workers fill positions that would otherwise be filled by H-2B alien labor.”
The governor of Guam has delegated authority to certify that qualified workers in Guam and the United States are not available to perform the required services.
However, Cruz has been critical of the program since earlier this year.
Through information obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, Cruz learned that the Department of Labor has been recommending for approval certifications for specialty cooks, landscape gardeners, floral designers, butchers, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, graphic designers, wedding service attendants, and automotive repairers.
Approval was also given to fill the position of a caregiver after 18 locals applied for the position. Cruz said he felt these positions should have been filled by residents and U.S. workers.
Cruz also took issue with approximately $500,000 in unpaid hospital bills by alien workers, which was noted by the hospital in its last audited financial statements.
On a related matter, Cruz will be submitting comments on a rule recently published by the U.S. Department of Labor regarding recruiting requirements for contractors working on Guam for projects associated with the military buildup.
