In a statement to Variety on Friday, IPI said:
“We are excited that more H-2B visas have been approved for construction workers. This will further the progress made on IPI’s hotel project. IPI has been struggling with a shortage of construction labor and really appreciates any assistance from the federal and local governments in resolving the shortage.”
Construction workers install a glass wall on the façade of the Imperial Palace hotel tower. Contributed photo
In his report on Thursday during the Commonwealth Casino Commission meeting, IPI vice president for construction Eric Poon said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approved 1,030 H-2B visa applications for fiscal years 2020 to 2021.
As of Feb. 26, Poon said, the construction site had a total of 368 H-2B workers — 119 from Taiwan; 118 from Mongolia; 98 from Turkey; 30 from Australia; and three from Thailand.
In addition, he said IPI has 112 local workers, and a 15-member management staff.
As for the Imperial Palace construction Poon said the building façade cladding installation, the water proofing installation, the external glazing installation, and the guestroom interior wall partition installation are in progress.
