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 / 322-8874 / 322-8876 / 322-8877 / 322-8878 / 322-8879 / 322-8880.
Inquiries may also be emailed to info@puamarianas.com.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Offices of the Mayors of Tinian and Rota, in partnership with OPD, have announced various job openings. Click on any position below to view job descriptions and instructions on how to apply.
Application deadline is extended to January 29. Apply today!
Senior Solid Waste Engineer | Saipan Solid Waste Coordinator | Rota Solid Waste Coordinator | |
Junior Solid Waste Engineer | Tinian Solid Waste Coordinator | Solid Waste Technical Analyst |
Call for Public Comment
December 11, 2020 - The Department of Labor Workforce Investment Agency (DOL WIA) in collaboration with the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) invites the public to comment on the draft waiver request to the US Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration to increase the statutory requirements for the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) On-the-Job (OJT) reimbursement rates:
The statutory and/or regulatory requirements the state would like to waive;
In response to the unparalleled impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Labor Workforce Investment Agency (CNMI DOL WIA), as the administering entity for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Formula Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth funds, seeks a waiver on the statutory provision to reimburse fifty percent (50%) of an On-the-Job Training (OJT) participant wages for the extraordinary costs for training and supervision as prescribed at WIOA Section 134(c)(3)(H)(i) and 20 CFR 680.720 (b).
The CNMI DOL WIA requests a sliding scale reimbursement according to the proportion of the business entity as described at WIOA Section 134(c)(3)(H)(i) and 20 CFR 680.730 (a). Upon approval of the waiver, employers or small businesses with fifty (50) or less employees will be reimbursed up to ninety percent (90%), while larger businesses with fifty-one (51) and upward of two hundred and fifty (250) employees will be reimbursed seventy-five percent (75%) applicable to all OJT contracts as permitted by WIOA formula funds for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth.
A full copy of the waiver request may be viewed at DOL website: www.marianaslabor.net or emailed upon request.
The comment period for the draft waiver begins on Friday, December 11, 2020 and closes on Friday, December 24, 2020. Comments may be submitted electronically to ftorres@dol.gov.mp or cnmiswdb@dol.gov.mp, by fax to 664-1710, mailed to Caller Box 10007 Saipan, MP 96950, or in person at Bldg#1353 Mednilla Ave Capitol Hill.
CNMI DOL PUA Program announces change of operations
October 1, 2020 - The CNMI Department of Labor (CNMI DOL) is announcing that it will temporarily suspend the in-person appointments it has established for the PUA program at CNMI DOL building # 1334, starting October 15, 2020 to November 30, 2020.
The suspension is necessary for the Department to proceed with claims adjudication for PUA applicants whose applications have not been processed due to errors or incomplete information; to audit overpayments; conduct appeals; and for fraud detection purposes.
All PUA claimants who have pre-registered for appointments prior to the change in operations will be allowed to walk in for their scheduled appointments only up to October 14, 2020.
The Department is still accepting initial applications and weekly claims certification submissions via online (Hiremarianas.com) or at DOL building #1334 and will consider in-person appointments depending on the nature of the request.
Due to the change in PUA operations, the Department has revamped its email and Call Center operations. All individuals with PUA claims inquiries are encouraged to email info@puamarianas.com or call the following numbers for inquiries on their claims (hours of operation M-F, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, except on local or federal holidays):
670-322-8870 | 670-322-8871 | 670-322-8872 |
670-322-8873 | 670-322-8874 | 670-322-8876 |
670-322-8877 | 670-322-8878 | 670-322-8879 |
670-322-8890 | 670-989-9190 | 670-989-9192 |
670-989-9193 | 670-989-9194 |
Additional DOL telephone lines:
- Administrative Services 664-3196/322-9947
- Division of Employment Services 323-9994/9995
- Enforcement 322-9940/9941
- Benefits Payments Control Unit 322-9943/9944
- PUA Fraud Hotline 989-9095
- Administrative Hearing Office 664-3290/3291
- OSHA 664-3156/3157
- WIA 664-1708/1709
As of September, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Federal Pandemic Unemployment programs have nearly 6,000 PUA applicants and disbursed more than $80 million in benefits.
The Department is reminding PUA applicants that they should continue to apply for the PUA program each week, only if they are still unemployed, furloughed, or have reduced working hours due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
For more information, contact the PUA Call Center at the numbers listed or send an email to info@puamarianas.com.
Reminder: 3rd Quarter 2020 Total Workforce Listing & Workforce Plan due October 31, 2020
October 1, 2020 - The CNMI Department of Labor (DOL) wants to remind all employers that the 3rd Quarter 2020 employer compliance reports are due on October 31, 2020.
Employers subject to employment reporting requirements must complete and submit a Total Workforce Listing and Workforce Plan (if applicable) on or before the deadline. In addition to the new multi-job site reporting requirement, the DOL added a new rule for those employers whose employees were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To minimize public contact with staff members, the DOL encourages employers to submit their reports by email only. Employers unable to submit online may file a report with the DOL's Administrative Services office in Capitol Hill, Building #1356. Failure or refusal to comply is cause for the DOL to issue a Notice of Violation to the employer which may result in fines and other sanctions following a due process hearing in the Administrative Hearing Office.
For more information or to request assistance in completing the reports, employers may contact DOL at (670) 664-3196. The Administrative Services office is open Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except on federal and Commonwealth holidays.
CNMI Department of Labor preparing to implement Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program
All DOL Offices Closed Following Directive by Governor Ralph DLG Torres
Reminder: 1st Quarter 2020 Total Workforce Listing & Workforce Plan due April 30, 2020
Free Webinar to Update Stakeholders on the Process for Filing CW-1 Applications for Employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Provide technical assistance to employers (and authorized attorneys or agents) on how to complete and submit Forms ETA-9141C and ETA-9142C.
- Provide a live video demonstration on how to use the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) System to prepare and submit CW-1 applications.
CNMI remains under State of Significant Emergency following COVID-19 Outbreak
CNMI Department of Labor to hold Workshop
WHAT: Business Community Workshop
WHEN: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Pedro P. Tenorio Multipurpose Center, Susupe, Saipan
Click on the links below to download information on:
Request for Public Comments | WIOA State Plan - 2020-2023 | WIOA State Plan for the CNMI - FY 2018 | Section 8 Eligible Training Provider | Eligible Training Provider Application |
OSHA Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illness Due: March 2, 2020
Covered employers may begin electronically submitting their Summary of Work-Related Injury and Illness (Form 300) for calendar year 2019 to https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/ . Submissions deadline is March 2, 2020. Employers may contact the CNMI OSHA On-Site Consultation office for assistance at (670) 664-3153/4/5/6/7.
Reminder: 4th Quarter 2019 Total Workforce Listing & Workforce Plan due January 31, 2019
- Regulatory timeframes for filing applications with a start date of need of April 1, 2020, or later;
- Procedures OFLC uses to randomly select H-2B applications for review and processing; and
- Actions the [U.S. Labor] Department is taking to prepare the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) System to support the submission of applications beginning January 2, 2020.
Outreach for Construction and Mining Companies
WIA Closed for Annual Federal Reporting and System Upgrades
Reminder: Second Quarter 2019 Total Workforce Listing & Workforce Plan due July 31, 2019
The CNMI Department of Labor wants to remind all businesses to submit their quarterly Total Workforce Listing and Workforce Plan by 4:30 p.m. on July 31, 2019. The forms may be submitted online by email to documents@marianaslabor.net or turned in to the Department of Labor Administrative Services office located on Capitol Hill. Any company having difficulty completing the two forms can call 664-3196 for assistance. The Admininstrative Services building is open between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Click here for more information.
CNMI Department of Labor to hold Community Outreach and Job Fair from May 21-22, 2019
WHAT: Community Outreach and Job Fair
WHEN: Community Outreach, Tuesday, May 21, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ChST
Job Fair, Wednesday, May 22, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ChST
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Saipan Ballroom, Garapan, Saipan
COST: Free and open to the public
CNMI DOL signs MOU with US DOL Wage and Hour Division on enforcement and outreach
Governor Torres and CNMI Secretary of Labor Vicky Benavente signed the MOU on behalf of the CNMI, while Acting Administrator of the US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Keith Sonderling, Regional Administrator for the Western Region Ruben Rosalez, and Honolulu District Director Terence Trotter represented the US DOL.
“The enforcement of our federal labor laws requires a coordinated effort, and this MOU will empower our CNMI Department of Labor with the ability to assist our federal partners at the USDOL achieve this,” said Governor Ralph DLG. Torres.
Secretary Benavente noted that the signing of the MOU with US DOL will provide the CNMI the ability to conduct joint training and outreach presentations about the laws and regulations enforced by both labor agencies.
“We appreciate the visit of Acting Administrator Sonderling, Regional Administrator Rosalez, and District Director Trotter for this collective commitment to the enforcement of our labor laws. The CNMI DOL will coordinate joint investigations to assist US DOL with enforcement activities, referrals of complaints, and exchange of information. The end result will be the protection of all workers with regards to the payment of their wages, overtime, and other applicable statutes,” she said.
Under the MOU, CNMI DOL and US DOL agree to coordinate joint outreach presentations and distribute educational material for the community. The agencies also agree to work to provide a side-by-side comparison of laws with overlapping provisions and jurisdiction.
“This partnership will be mutually beneficial for the CNMI and our federal partners. We share a collective goal to protect all of our workers and their wages,” Governor Torres added.
Webinar Announcement: How to Complete and Submit a CW-1 Application for Temporary Employment Certification to U.S. Department of Labor
OSHA Training Coming in February
February 26, 2019 | 9 AM - 11:30 AM
February 27, 2019 | 9 AM - 11:30 AM
- Elaine Pangelinan: elaine.pangelinan@gmail.com
- Sidney Camacho: scamachodolosha@gmail.com
- Wallace Chong: wchongdolosha@gmail.com
Reminder: First Quarter 2019 Total Workforce Listing & Workforce Plan due April 30, 2019
The CNMI Department of Labor wants to remind all businesses to submit their quarterly Total Workforce Listing and Workforce Plan by 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2019. The forms must be turned in to the Department of Labor Administrative Services office located on Capital Hill. Any company having difficulty completing the two forms can call 664-3190 or 323-9996/323-9995, for assistance. The Admin Office is open between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
DUA deadline extended again for the CNMI
Once again, the CNMI Department of Labor has re-extended the application submission deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu. The DUA program provides payment relief and reemployment assistance to individuals who became unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster.
The new deadline to apply for DUA is February 14, 2019...See how and where to apply
DUA deadline extended for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota workers affected by Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu
Apply by January 15, 2019
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) deadline for workers in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota has been extended to January 15, 2019. DUA is available for individuals who have lost their jobs, had their regular work hours reduced, or were self-employed individuals but are no longer able to work as a direct result of Typhoon Mangkhut and/or Super Typhoon Yutu.
The CNMI Department of Labor (DOL) is urging all eligible individuals to apply for DUA before the January 15 deadline...Read more
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Available for Workers and Self-Employed Individuals in Saipan, Rota and Tinian Affected by Typhoon Mangkhut & Super Typhoon Yutu
The CNMI Department of Labor (DOL) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4396-DR-MP) for workers in Saipan, Rota and Tinian.
WHAT IS DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE?
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) (42 U.S.C. §5177) authorizes the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. The purpose of the program is to provide payment and reemployment assistance to individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster.
DUA claims are only taken after the President of the United States, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), declares specific areas of the State/CNMI as disaster areas and authorizes Individual Assistance to individuals working in the disaster areas. DUA funding is provided by FEMA and does not come from employer payroll taxes.
Typhoon Mangkhut
On September 29, 2018, the President authorized major disaster declaration FEMA-4396-DR for CNMI due to Typhoon Mangkhut that occurred September 10-11, 2018. This declaration authorized Individual Assistance, including DUA, for the islands of Rota, Saipan, and Tinian. On November 16, 2018, the CNMI DOL announced the availability of DUA and the filing deadline for DUA applications of December 16, 2018.
Super Typhoon Yutu
On October 26, 2018, the President authorized major disaster declaration FEMA-4404-DR for CNMI due to Super Typhoon Yutu that occurred October 24-26, 2018. This declaration authorized Individual Assistance, including DUA, for the islands of Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and the Northern Islands. On November 16, 2018, the CNMI DOL announced the availability of DUA and the filing deadline for DUA applications of December 16, 2018.
Last Updated 1/11/2021