DOL expands recruitment plan to other islands

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - As both Guam and the U.S. mainland experience an increase in unemployment rates, both the national and local departments of labor have reached a major milestone in the effort to support the Guam military base realignment and buildup. Aside from advertising on Guam for 30 days, DOL director Leah Beth Nahalowaa says it will extend its construction recruitment process for jobs related to National Defense Authorization Act projects outside of Guam to Saipan, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, California, Alaska, Oregon and Washington.

"It's good that we're opening to U.S. workers and that's the bottom line why these standards came about," she explained, "because as you know, our unemployment rate is still up not only in Guam but also in the states and the more we employ U.S. workers the better."

She adds Guam workers will still be the priority. Meanwhile, DOL expects updated unemployment statistics next month but is optimistic a movement will occur as the Christmas season will create many seasonal jobs in the retail and hotel industry on Guam.