Hearing Officer Barry Hirshbein told Variety they continue to receive new complaints filed by nonresident workers.
“Any worker can file a labor complaint with Labor,” he said. But he can’t say the number of cases still pending at their office.
He said he continues to hear the same type of cases that they’ve always heard.These include a request for temporary work authorization, transfer, among other cases.
Only Hirshbein and Jerry Cody are conducting hearings.
Hirshbein said the implementation of the federalization law has not affected the operation of their office.
Labor Deputy Secretary Cinta M. Kaipat has said that the department still has the authority to manage the workforce until Nov. 27, 2011.
But since the controversy regarding the issuance of umbrella permits broke out, a lot of nonresidents have been hesitant to report back to Labor.
Hirshbein said they will continue to hear complaints against the employers who fail to comply with the 20 percent local hiring rule.
“We always stick to the law and regulations as they currently exist and if there are changes then we adapt,” he said.
