Philippine labor attaché speeds up H-2B process for Filipino workers
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
A labor attaché from the California-based Philippine Migrant Workers Office has agreed to expedite the process of approving H-2B visa applications for Guam-bound Filipino workers.
“As of last month, our partners at the MWO have reported the processing of over 1,000 job orders for 28 local employers, which shows steady progress in our efforts to improve the rate of local construction,” said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.
Leon Guerrero hosted a delegation from the Philippine House of Representatives in December to discuss Guam's demand for H-2B workers to pick up civilian and defense construction jobs.
“The commitment from the Philippine government to help find solutions to our labor challenges gives me confidence that we will see results that lead to better outcomes for local contractors and our labor force in the near future." the governor said.
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The Philippine labor attache is anticipated to visit Guam from Jan. 24 to 27 to meet with local construction companies and to make recommendations on opening a local satellite office to improve the island’s construction workforce.
“As we prepare for the significant expansion of construction projects over the next ten years, bringing workers to Guam from the Philippines will need to be more efficient and reliable," Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said.
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"Last year, we welcomed a record-breaking number of H-2B workers, and our administration continues to build on this historic progress," he added.
In December, a delegation led by Rep. Ron P. Salo, chairperson of the Philippine House Committee on Overseas Worker Affairs, visited Guam for a three-day fact-finding mission.
The delegation engaged in a roundtable discussion with Guam leaders on key issues relative to the H-2B process. The delegation also met with local contractors from the Guam Contractors Association, visited construction barracks, and received direct feedback from H-2B workers.
The delegation conveyed their satisfaction with Guam’s H-2B program, noting that wages were four to eight times higher than average and living conditions were most favorable.
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