The Department of Labor’s Division of Employment Services and Training noted that Misamis Construction’s past record of resident hiring has been inadequate, adding that the company has failed to comply with the regulations.
In an order dated Aug. 12, the Division of Administrative Hearing Office ordered Misamis Construction to hire and employ a minimum of three citizens or permanent resident workers — they can be trainees or experienced workers — each month starting in September.
The hiring of three workers for each month is for one year, Hearing Officer Jerry Cody said in his administrative order, adding that such hiring will be a demonstration of Misamis Construction’s good faith effort in complying with the regulations.
In return, Labor will approve the company’s 37 applications for conditional grants of transfer.
Labor Director Barry Hirshbein said the applications have been on hold pending Misamis Construction’s compliance with the 20 percent local workforce rule.
During a hearing, Labor noted that Misamis Construction hired five construction trainees from a local trade school in the past month.
Barrie Ladd, the construction firm’s operation manager, promised at the hearing that they will continue to find qualified resident workers for the company’s various construction projects.
According to Cody, this “agreement puts in place an effective means to determine whether this employer is making a good faith attempt to increase its percentage of resident workers.”
He added, “The agreement furthers the department’s policy of encouraging employment of citizens and or residents workers in the commonwealth.”
To confirm if Misamis Construction is complying with the order, Labor required the construction firm to provide the Division of Employment Services and Training with a list of the workers it hires every month.
The construction firm is also ordered to submit a written certification to Labor each month, certifying that it has posted available job openings within the past month at the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Workforce Investment Agency, Northern Marianas College, the Adult Development Institute and the Marianas Trade Institute.
