USDOL says CNMI transitional workers not PUA-eligible

The CNMI Department of Labor is facing major backlash after it gave notice that CW-1 workers are not eligible for PUA/FPUC after they were encouraged to apply. They now face claims of fraud and will have to pay back what they received.

The agency has issued guidance for CNMI-Only Transitional Workers, or CW-1, stating that they are not eligible for PUA/FPUC. A wave of public outcry after many say they were misled, may be placed on a fraud list, and must return any amount received or be sanctioned. CNMI Governor Ralph Torres weighed in at a briefing this morning.

"Unfortunately, we are hoping that CW would get an approval from our U.S. Congress but there is no assistance at this point," the governor said.

The US DOL says CW-1 workers are not considered "qualified aliens." It is not clear how many CW workers out of approximately 10,000 applied in the NMI. "Unless it is a case by case basis, I do not think we should or anybody would claim an automatic fraudulent document or information simply because you have good intention in turning that in," he said.

He explained that the CNMI must follow guidelines when it comes to federal funds.

"So your question is where do they turn to? I ask that they ask our U.S. Congress to have them included into the next batch or next relief or amendment through the relief program because we do not have local funding to assist CW or even our local capacity here," he said.

He says his door is open to work with Congress. Meanwhile, NMI Delegate Gregorio Sablan says the guidance "is a bad decision." He added that it ignores PUA eligibility clauses in the CARES act and is contrary to the law's intent.

CNMI Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente was not available for comment.