U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan has introduced H.R. 3193 or the Employment Services and Jobs Parity Act that would include the CNMI and American Samoa in the funding allotments for the Wagner-Peyser Act.
Enacted in 1933, the federal law established nationwide employment services which seek to improve the functioning of the nation’s labor markets by bringing individuals seeking jobs with employers seeking workers.
In an email interview, Kilili said H.R. 3193, which is now with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, “would be for our [and American Samoa’s] inclusion in the Wagner-Peyser Act.”
The federal law authorizes an appropriation of funds to assist the states, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands in employment services.
In his e-newsletter last week, Kilili said he welcomed acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su’s support “in expanding greater opportunities for the Marianas including my efforts to advance legislation to help our local workers,” referring to H.R. 3193.
He said improving the opportunities and resources available to workers and businesses in the CNMI is one of his top priorities as a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
On Wednesday, he said Su testified before the committee in support of the critical investments in the nation’s workforce included in President Biden’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor.
“I took the opportunity to seek Ms. Su’s commitment to continue working with me to improve administration of the CW-1 visa program, and to ensure the Marianas receives the federal support it is entitled to for its workforce development and unemployment assistance programs,” Kilili said.
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan
