CNMI Department of Labor

OSHA Region IX Safety and Occupational Health Manager, Eric Christensen, visits CNMI OSHA at the Department of Labor

Left to Right: Vicky Benavente, Secretary of Labor, Eric Christensen, Occupational Health Manager, and Tim Asaivao, CNMI OSHA Project Manager.

Department of Labor's Division Employees of the Year

From left to right: RochelleTomokane (PUA Coordinator, Administrative Hearing Office), Vertilia Camacho (PUA Coordinator, PUA Headquarters), Patricia Camacho (Administrative Officer II, Office of the Secretary), Brenda Lynn Sablan (PUA Coordinator, PUA - BPC Unit), Colleen Diaz (Federal Program Coordinator IV, Workforce Investment Agency), and Lae Muña (Labor Certification Technician I, Division of Employment Services).

CNMI Department of Labor, Employment Services staff, Vivian Fleming, assists a client with the NAP Work Registration Program.

The Department of Labor would like to remind CNMI employers that today - March 15, 2022 - is the last day to participate in the 2022 Prevailing Wage Survey. Your participation would be greatly appreciated.

March 9, 2022. OFLC Announces Webinar on March 22, 2022, to Update Stakeholders on the Process for Filing CW-1 Applications for Employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification invites interested stakeholders to participate in a webinar that provides technical assistance and helpful tips for preparing the CW-1 Application for Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141C) and the Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA-9142C). The webinar will provide technical assistance to employers (and authorized attorneys or agents) on how to complete and submit Forms ETA-9141C and ETA-9142C and cover some of the most pressing post-filing issues employers encounter.

Meeting Details:

March 22nd, 2022 7:00 PM | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) | 1 hr / March 23rd, 2022 9:00AM | (UTC+10:00) Chamorro Standard Time | 1 hr

Join from the meeting link:
https://usdol.webex.com/usdol/j.php?MTID=m139d0b6e2dea354913bbc9b36aabe7e2

Join by meeting number:
Meeting number (access code): 2763 487 7128
Meeting password: CW1Update

Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only):
1-877-465-7975, # US Toll Free
+1-210-795-0506, # US Toll

Join by phone:
1-877-465-7975 US Toll Free
1-210-795-0506 US Toll

STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

P.O. Box 10007 | Saipan, MP 96950 | Phone: (670) 664-1712 | Email: cnmiswdb@dol.gov.mp

Vision: “To integrate a seamless workforce development system that meets the needs of employers, job-seekers, workers, and youths in order to supply quality employees for the dynamic economy of the CNMI.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

The CNMI’s State Workforce Development Board in collaboration with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) core program partners (DOL Workforce Investment Agency, NMC Adult Education State Office, and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) will be modifying portions of the CNMI’s Unified State Plan for Program Years 2022-2023.

Proposed modifications to the plan include:

A description of current economic, workforce, and workforce development activities impact analyses of the COVID-19 pandemic.
State strategic goals to achieve the vision of the CNMI “To integrate a seamless workforce development system that meets the needs of employers, job-seekers, workers, and youths in order to supply quality employees for the dynamic economy of the CNMI.”
Performance goals for Program Year 2022 and 2023.
Update the State Operating Systems for the SWDB and the core programs.

The public is invited to provide input or comments on the proposed changes during a thirty (30) day public comment period beginning February 10, 2022 and ending on March 10, 2022.

There will be virtual and in-person public forums to discuss the modifications on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian that will be announced at a later date.

A copy of the CNMI 2020-2023 Unified State Plan may be found on www.marianaslabor.net.

/resources/files/divisions/WIA/Northern_Marianas_PYs_2020-2023(1).pdf

Please submit all comments in writing to cnmiswdb@dol.gov.mp, lorraine.maui@marianas.edu, or arlene@ovrgov.net with the subject line CNMI State Plan 2022. The deadline for comment submission is Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 4:30pm.

/s/ Velma Palacios, Chairperson Date: February 10, 2022

II.b.(2)[A][B] State Strategic Goals
PY2020-2021 Goals	Proposed Goals for PY 2022-2023
Goal 1: Develop and Implement a Youth Leadership Training system/program to have youth build competitive attributes of a leader and gain confidence of in their abilities and career choices.	Strengthen the collaboration of the workforce development system for the expansion of a comprehensive, integrated, effective, and streamlined service delivery system.
Goal 2: Develop and Implement Workforce Development Leadership Training system/program to have adults, dislocated workers, job-seekers, and incumbent employees build competitive attributes of a leader and gain confidence of in their abilities and career choices.	Enhance Business Service strategies to increase strategic partnerships and engagement to develop customized services that aligns with the present-day economy across programs of the workforce development system.
Goal 3: Promote and support participant’s efforts to obtain necessary workforce experiences, workforce credentials, skill development and training, and/or career or college readiness in order to increase the number of competitive participants who are ready to enter employment or gain upward mobility and livable wages in the careers of their choice.	Integrate an innovative customer-centered service delivery system focused on the customer’s job-driven occupational and training needs that includes enhanced supportive services to address barriers that may impede participation.
Goal 4: Align, coordinate, and integrate the local and state workforce development systems in order to match workforce skills needs of employers those participants who have the marketable skills and attributes needed to be competitive choice of employers.	Increase the skills of jobseekers for high-quality jobs and careers in demand-driven industries that align with the workforce needs of employers that lead to employment, reemployment, and retention.

II.b.(3) Performance Goals Titles I, II, and IV
Program	Performance Measure	Program Year 2020-2021		Program Year 2022	Program Year 2023
		Negotiated Level		Proposed Level	Proposed Level
Title I Youth	Education, Training, or Employment (2^nd Quarter after Exit)	50.0%		50.0%	50.0%
Title I Adult & Dislocated Worker	Employment (2^nd Quarter after Exit)	50.0%		50.0%	50.0%
Title II Adult Basic Education		2020	2021	57.0%	58.0%
		55.0%	57.0%
Title IV Office of Vocational Rehabilitation		Baseline		50.0%	50.0%
Title I Youth	Education, Training, or Employment (4^th Quarter after Exit)	50.0%		50.0%	50.0%
Title I Adult & Dislocated Worker	Employment (4^th Quarter after Exit)	50.0%		50.0%	50.0%
Title II Adult Basic Education		2020	2021	60.0%	61.0%
		58.0%	60.0%
Title IV Office of Vocational Rehabilitation		Baseline		Baseline	Baseline
Title I Adult & Dislocated Worker	Median Earnings (2^nd Quarter after Exit)	$3,200		$3,200	$3,200
Title I Youth		$3,000		$3,000	$3,000
Title II Adult Basic Education		$4,153		$4,153	$4,153
Title IV Office of Vocational Rehabilitation		Baseline		Baseline	Baseline
Title I Adult & Dislocated Worker	Credential Attainment Rate	66.5%		66.5%	66.5%
Title I Youth		66.0%		66.0%	66.0%
Title II Adult Basic Education		2020	2021	81.0%	82.0%
		89.0%	81.0%
Title IV Office of Vocational Rehabilitation		Baseline		Baseline	Baseline
Title I Adult & Dislocated Worker	Measurable Skill Gains	50.0%		50.0%	50.0%
Title I Youth		50.0%		50.0%	50.0%
Title II Adult Basic Education		45.0%		50.0%	51.0%
Title IV Office of Vocational Rehabilitation		Baseline		Baseline	Baseline

To register for the virtual career fair, click here.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres visited the CNMI Department of Labor to personally thank them for all their hard work throughout the past two years of this pandemic.

**Please locate Forms & Publications on the top left corner to view the 2021 Business Needs Assessment

**Please locate Forms & Publications on the top left corner to view the proposed policies.

CNMI DOL announces second round of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) for the CNMI

February 11, 2021 - The CNMI Department of Labor (DOL) will begin accepting applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) as a result of COVID-19 for affected workers in the CNMI starting February 16, 2021 through March 13, 2021.

WHAT IS PUA?
The PUA program provides temporary benefits to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of COVID-19. The PUA program, through the Continued Assistance Act (CAA), provides eligible applicants in the CNMI with 11 weeks of unemployment benefits starting on December 27, 2020 to March 13, 2021.

WHAT IS FPUC?
Under the CAA, for weeks of unemployment beginning after December 26, 2020 and ending on or before March 14, 2021, an individual collecting PUA may collect a $300 FPUC payment per week.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR PUA/FPUC?
Due to the extensive nature of the eligibility conditions and requirements for PUA, please consult the “PUA/FPUC Benefits Rights Information Handbook” found on the CNMI Department of Labor’s website at: http://www.marianaslabor.net, under “Forms and Publications” for details.

APPLICATION FILING DATES
Individuals may apply for PUA if they have had a week(s) of full or partial unemployment on or after December 27, 2020 through March 13, 2021 as a result of COVID-19. Individuals may file applications for PUA one week from the date of this announcement, starting February 16, 2021 and ending March 13, 2021.

HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY
ONLINE: Claimants may apply for PUA either online or in person. Submit a PUA application online at the following address: www.hiremarianas.com.
PAPER: PUA applications and other forms may also be obtained and submitted at either of the following location(s):

Saipan:
Department of Labor
Division of Employment Services
Building # 1334, Ascension Dr.
Capitol Hill, Saipan MP 96950

Rota:
Northern Marianas College
Room #A2
Rota, MP 96951

Tinian:
Department of Labor
Edu's Plaza, 1st Floor
San Jose Village
Tinian, MP 96952

*NEW Paper Application Submission Instructions: To combat the effects of COVID-19, the Saipan PUA Program is strictly implementing the following application submission schedule from February 16, 2021 to March 15, 2021 (Monday - Friday) from 8:00am to 3:00pm:

Monday: Only accepting paper application submissions for last names “A” to “C”
Tuesday: Only accepting paper application submissions for last names “D” to “H”
Wednesday: Only accepting paper application submissions for last names “I” to “M”
Thursday: Only accepting paper application submissions for last names “N” to “R”
Friday: Only accepting paper application submissions for last names “S” to “Z”

Important Notes: In consideration of the February 16th opening date falling on a Tuesday, the Department will also be accepting paper applications for last names beginning with “A” to “C” along with “D” to “H” only. In consideration of the application end date falling on a Saturday (March, 13, 2021), the Department will accept paper application submissions on the Monday (March 15, 2021) following the deadline.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
*NEW: Individuals filing a new PUA application on or after January 31, 2021 (regardless of whether the claim is backdated), are required to provide documentation within 21 days of the application or the date the individual is directed to submit the documentation by CNMI DOL, whichever is later.

*NEW: Individuals who applied for PUA before January 31, 2021 and receive a payment of PUA on or after December 27, 2020 (regardless of which week ending date is being paid), are required to provide documentation substantiating employment or self-employment, or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment, within 90 days of the application or when directed to submit documentation by CNMI DOL, whichever is later.

To receive PUA, individuals must submit in-person or upload online the following:
(1) A government issued picture identification (Driver’s license, passport, alien registration card, etc.), (2) Social Security Card number, (3) If applicable, copies of the most recent federal income tax form(s), check stubs, and other proof of earnings, and (4) If applicable, evidence of self-employment earnings, business license, including financial documents such as 2017 Federal/CNMI income tax forms, profit and loss statement, and proof of business loss due to the disaster.

ALL INQUIRIES
Individuals who have questions about the PUA/FPUC programs are encouraged to email info@puamarianas.com or call any of the following numbers between 8:00 am through 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday, except on holidays.

Saipan: (670) 322-8870/71/72/73
Rota: (670) 989-9001
Tinian: (670) 989-9000 or 433-0889

FURTHER INFORMATION
Individuals who are determined eligible for PUA must file weekly claim certifications (to demonstrate their continued eligibility) either in person or online by using any of the filing methods described above. Continued eligibility is determined on a week-by-week basis. Please consult the “PUA/FPUC Benefits Rights Information Handbook” found on the CNMI Department of Labor’s website at: http://www.marianaslabor.net, under “Forms and Publications” for details.

Individuals who willfully conceal material facts or knowingly making false statement(s) to obtain PUA to which they are not entitled will be required to repay all benefits fraudulently collected and may be subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001.

FRAUD HOTLINE
Individuals are encouraged to call 670-989-9095 to report any perceived instances of wrongdoing or fraud pertaining to the PUA/FPUC programs.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RE: MONETARY DETERMINATION NOTICES

The CNMI Department of Labor - PUA Program is aware of "PUA Monetary Determination" notices being sent in error by its vendor. A current critical work order has been sent to the vendor to rectify the situation. Please disregard those notices and continue to follow all PUA guidance on the CNMI Department of Labor website at: http://www.marianaslabor.net. We apologize for the inconvenience.

RE: 1099Gs

The CNMI Department of Labor - PUA Program is working with the CNMI Department of Finance on making all 1099G corrections. As soon as all corrections have been made, the PUA Program will notify all individuals.

CNMI DOL advises claimants to disregard 1099-G attachments received via hiremarianas.com

January 28, 2021 - The CNMI Department of Labor (CNMI DOL) has received notification that certain individuals are receiving incorrect 1099-G tax information for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program via hiremarianas.com.

The Department is currently addressing the issue and would like to inform PUA recipients to disregard electronic messages sent by “POSTMASTER” today, January 28, 2021. These messages contain incorrect 1099-G tax information and are sent with the following subject matter: “Certain Government Payments 1099G.”

Updates regarding this matter will be addressed in subsequent public announcements from CNMI DOL.

Labor prepares for reopening of PUA program for new applications

January 25, 2021 - The CNMI Department of Labor (DOL) last week provided updates on changes involving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) eligibility as a result of the Continued Assistance Act (CAA).

The CAA includes Unemployment Insurance (UI) provisions that authorizes the extension of the PUA program in the Marianas through March 14, 2021, and expounds on the eligibility requirements and conditions necessary for obtaining PUA, among others.

“The Department is focused on preparing for the processing of applications for Continued Assistance and anticipates more applications to be submitted as soon as the program launches in the Marianas,” said Secretary of Labor Vicky Benavente. “The official opening date of the PUA program is fast approaching, so we are doing our best to prepare the community by providing pertinent PUA information.”

In a thorough review of Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) 16-20, Change 4, CNMI DOL found that the eligibility requirements for PUA qualification have been expanded for Continued Assistance, but remains relatively the same. PUA claimants must continue to self-certify that their unemployment, partial unemployment, or inability or unavailability to work is specifically attributable to one or more of the COVID-19 related reasons specified in section 2102(a)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) through (kk) of the CARES Act and must identify that specific reason for each week that PUA is claimed.

CNMI DOL found that the most prominent change to the PUA program (in relation to eligibility conditions) is the requirement for all claimants to provide documentation substantiating employment or self-employment, or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment.

Individuals filing a new PUA application on or after January 31, 2021 (regardless of whether the claim is backdated), are required to provide documentation within 21 days of [the] application or the date the individual is directed to submit the documentation by CNMI DOL, whichever is later.

Individuals who applied for PUA before January 31, 2021 and receive a payment of PUA on or after December 27, 2020 (regardless of which week ending date is being paid), are required to provide documentation substantiating employment or self-employment, or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment, within 90 days of [the] application or when directed to submit documentation by CNMI DOL, whichever is later.

In response to the document submission requirement, the Department finds that potential claimants should prepare ahead of time by gathering employment documents prior to the official launch of the PUA program.

Types of acceptable documentation

In general, proof of employment includes, but is not limited to, paycheck stubs, earnings and leave statements showing the employer’s name and address, and W-2 forms when available.

Proof of self-employment includes, but is not limited to, state or Federal employer identification numbers, business licenses, tax returns, business receipts, and signed affidavits from persons verifying the individual’s self-employment.

Proof of employment with organizations such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and educational or religious organizations includes, but is not limited to, documentation provided by these organizations and signed affidavits from persons verifying the individual’s attachment to such organizations.

Proof of the planned commencement of employment includes, but is not limited to, letters offering employment, statements/affidavits by individuals (with name and contact information) verifying an offer of employment.

Proof of the planned commencement of self-employment includes, but is not limited to, business licenses, state or Federal employer identification numbers, written business plans, or a lease agreement. Individuals must present the proof of employment and the state may verify the proof submitted using records the state may have available, such as wage records or state revenue records.

In a recent webinar conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, CNMI DOL learned that individuals who are not fully unemployed as a result of the pandemic may not qualify for PUA. In other words, claimants who work reduced hours as a result of the pandemic may not qualify for PUA.

The Department understands the magnitude of the situation and has since requested a conference meeting with the U.S. Department of Labor for clarification and resolution. Further developments will be issued in a separate press release.

Individuals who have questions about the PUA/FPUC programs are encouraged to contact the CNMI DOL via email at info@puamarianas.com or call the following telephone numbers: 322-8870/8871/8872/8873.

Visit CNMI DOL’s website at www.marianaslabor.net to download copies of applicable UIPLs or for more PUA/FPUC-related information.

CNMI DOL advises public to hold off on new PUA applications until USDOL approval is granted

The CNMI Department of Labor is informing the general public not to submit any PUA paper applications or online applications for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) extension, until official approval from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has been received.

CNMI DOL will provide proper notification to the public once USDOL approval is official.

The CNMI DOL recently attended a webinar conducted by the USDOL, regarding the new Continued Assistance Act of 2020. The USDOL provided an overview of the new program dates and key program requirements for the coordination of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Programs.

Secretary of Labor Vicky Benavente said there are additional changes in the new COVID-19 legislation, which the CNMI will be required to follow in order to participate in the federal unemployment assistance programs.

“There are also new requirements such as states must provide a method for employers to report individuals who refuse to return to work or refuse to accept an offer of suitable work. Once the Department receives approval to begin accepting PUA applications, we will be issuing an announcement with detailed instructions and requirements,” said Secretary Benavente.

For further information, contact the PUA Call Center at tel. 322-8870 / 322-8871 / 322-8873.

Inquiries may also be emailed to info@puamarianas.com.

Last Updated 8/1/2022