In a letter to Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo, Cruz questioned DOL Director Leah Beth Naholowaa and “another official” acting on the governor’s behalf, for signing off on the 75 applications. Cruz said as of May 24, Naholowaa and “another official” approved Form GDOL 750 R/2010 Alien Labor Certifications. Normally, Cruz said, the governor of Guam has the signatory authority to sign off on these applications and not another official acting on his behalf.
“I believe that the employment of temporary alien workers for these positions will adversely affect local wage rates and compensation, and therefore may be in violation of the administrative rules that govern alien labor certification,” wrote Cruz.
Cruz said the employer or DOL have not done their due diligence to demonstrate the effort to recruit United States residents. Cruz said to ensure compliance, he would like to address this issue by introducing a bill to “eliminate loopholes that enable discrimination against local resident workers.”
Cruz pointed out that at DOL’s job fair, there were more than 2,700 Guam residents seeking jobs, and “hundreds of our youth have graduated from high school,” while others have completed certified training programs in vocations by the Guam Community College and the Guam Trades Academy.
The 75 certifications were for the following jobs: air conditioning mechanic; refrigeration mechanic; automatic repairer; butcher; camp cook; computer aided design drafter; dive instructor; electronic motor repairer; environmental control systems installer/services; floral designer; graphic designer; heavy equipment mechanic; heavy equipment operator; landscape gardener; landscaper; maintenance mechanic; plumber; sales representative; scuba instructor; sous chef; specialty cook; and wedding service attendant.
Under Guam’s laws and administrative rules, temporary labor certifications are issued after two determinations are made, said Cruz.
