By Michael Rudolph - Guam News Factor
GUAM - Yesterday, Senators Rory Respicio and Judith Gurthertz met with Philippine Overseas Employment Administration officials in Mandaluyong, Philippines. The discussion points revolved around the recruitment of manpower for the Guam military buildup. During their visit the Senators expressed their positive sentiments of the Filipino labor force on Guam.
That, according to reports filed by the Philippine Star and GMA Television News.
Guthertz stated that "Filipinos are hardworking, they're loyal, and they're very, very industrious." Senator Respicio also shared his personal thoughts when he said "we have affinity for foreign workers, especially for Filipinos."
The two senators made assurances that the projected 15,000 to 20,000 job openings on Guam in 2010 related to the military buildup will be open to Filipinos, as potential employment opportunities for Filipinos will not be stymied by the efforts of Hawaii Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D).
"We do not believe it will pass. He will not get everything he is wishing for," said Guthertz commenting Abercrombie's prevailing wage provision. The prevailing wage provision or Kalua Pork Provision would require that the minimum wage standard for all construction workers on Guam will be at the prevailing wage level for similar construction projects in Hawaii. In addition, foreign workers will be allowed to do no more than 30% of the work on the project. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Abercrombie's provision would increase the cost of the buildup by $10 billion.
Filipinos should know that they have advocates in their corner, as evidenced by Senator Guthertz and Recpicio's comments and efforts to ensure that our fellow Pacific Islanders do not get left out in cold by Abercrombie's Kalua Pork Provision.
Read the Philippine Star article, "20,000 jobs up for grabs in Guam", September 2, 2009.
Read the GMA News.TV story, "Filipino workers assured of more jobs in Guam", September 2, 2009.
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