Japan official: Buildup a go

Futenma base talks suspended

BY AMRITHA ALLADI • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS AALLADI@GUAMPDN.COM

Theagreement to lighten the presence of U.S. troops in Okinawa and move some of them to Guam will proceed as planned and on schedule, despite the suspension of talks between the United States and Japan regarding the relocation of the Futenma Marine Corps air base, Japan's Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said during his visit to the island yesterday.

"At this moment, we aren't seeing any delay," Kitazawa said through an interpreter at a brief press conference at the Hyatt Regency Guam in Tumon yesterday.

However, talks between the United States and Japan regarding the relocation of the Futenma base have been suspended with no restart date planned as of yet, according to The Associated Press. Kitazawa said yesterday he didn't know when the Futenma relocation issue would be resolved.

Relocating the Futenma base from the southern to the northern part of Okinawa is a step toward executing parts of the 2006 U.S-Japan agreement that includes reducing the number of U.S. Marinesthere by almost half and moving 8,000 of them to Guam.

Both sides finalized the agreement in February, when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Japan's then-Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone signed the pact, which spells out Japan's $6 billion of the $10 billion estimate to move the Marines to Guam.

Kitazawa visitedGuam to see the location for the proposed transfer of Marines from Okinawa, according to a press release from Gov. Felix Camacho's office. He visited Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Base Guam, and Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam, and received briefings on the vital role Guam plays in hosting the U.S. Air Force and Navy to ensure stability and security throughout the Pacific theater, according to officials from the Joint Guam Program Office.

On Guam, the military's buildup plans go beyond building a Marine base. The United States also plans to build an Army missile defense facility, facilities for recurring visits of an aircraft carrier, and expansions to the existing U.S. Air Force and Navy bases -- a buildup tab of more than $15 billion, according to previously released federal government estimates.

No more qouta for Guam worker's visa

Guam Exempt from National Cap on H-2B Workers

Guam- Guam is now exempt from the national cap on applications for non-immigrant visas. PL 110-229, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 went into effect on November 28, 2009.

Prior to the exemption, applications had to be filed prior to the October and April cap openings in order to be considered for approval by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Local employers may now file at any time during the year with the Guam Department of Labor for approval of a Temporary Labor Certification and authorization to import H-2B workers with US DHS.

The legislation was enacted to give employers the ability to temporarily meet increased manpower needs that will come as Guam ramps up for the impending military build up. The exemption will likely be critical, as Marine relocation construction projects will tap all available local and regional construction resources.

Although the exemption is in effect, local filing requirements and program procedures remain relatively unchanged. For more information, contact GDOL’s Alien Labor Processing and Certification Division Administrator Greg Massey at 475-7005. Specific information on the program is also available online at www. guamdol.net under the alien certification section. pacificnewscenter.com

Guam Department of Labor Director Greg Macey discussing labor related issues with Mayor Bong Gordon.

Guam law allows temp labor certification

by Heather Hauswirth - kuam.com

Guam - Local employers will now have the ability to temporarily meet increased manpower needs that are necessary for the impending military buildup. Public Law 110-229 (The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008) took effect on November 28, lifting the national cap on applications for non-immigrant visas.

According to the Department of Labor, this means local employers can now file requests for temporary labor certification and authorization to import H-2b workers with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security throughout the year. Prior to the enactment of the law, applications had to be filed prior to the October and April cap openings.

DOL officials say this exemption is critical to meet the needs of the impending military buildup.