U.S. workers must be given first consideration for any job posted in the CNMI’s labor system, Labor Secretary Leila Staffler said, urging residents to apply for openings and report employers who fail to interview qualified U.S. applicants.
Staffler said job vacancies remain widespread across the Commonwealth, and the Department of Labor’s online job vacancy system is not limited to employers seeking CW‑1 foreign workers.
“We have a lot of job vacancies, but they’re not exclusive to CW applications,” she said. “Our job vacancy page is open for any business, not just people who are looking for CW workers.”
She encouraged U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and other U.S.-eligible workers to actively use the system.
“I encourage any worker that is U.S., especially that’s looking for jobs, to use our job vacancy site and apply for jobs,” Staffler said. “And if you are not given an interview, let us know, because technically, U.S. citizens should be given preference.”
Under federal and local rules, employers must consider all U.S. and U.S.-eligible applicants before turning to foreign labor. Staffler said that includes providing at least an interview or a response to applicants who meet the basic qualifications.
“Any job that’s posted on our website, a U.S. person — a U.S. worker, whether you’re LPR, green card, whatever — has a right to at least get an interview or some kind of response from the employer,” she said. “If that person does not have the skill set needed, then it’s understandable the employer might not interview. But they are supposed to at least vet all U.S. and U.S.-eligible workers who apply in our job vacancy system.”
Staffler said the department is also working to support workers affected by business closures by matching their existing skills with available openings.
“One of the things Labor has been doing to help address workers who are suffering from business closures is connecting their job skills that they currently have to job vacancy announcements that are on our program,” she said. “If you are losing your job somewhere, our system can help connect you with another job that might match your skill set.”
She said the goal is to ensure displaced workers receive interviews and opportunities as quickly as possible.
