The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) faces a critical labor shortage, which the War Is Still A Racket report highlights in its findings. The CNMI economy has faced significant setbacks, from the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters to the loss of its manufacturing sector. In this context, foreign workers under the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) program have become a vital part of the workforce, making up approximately a third of the employed labor force between 2020 and 2024. This report points to a reliance on these foreign workers as the CNMI deals with a diminishing local workforce.
The report also sheds light on the need for proper risk assessment and management as the territory’s dependency on foreign labor becomes more evident. GAO’s findings indicate that these foreign workers comprise a significant portion of the employed population, and their contribution to the workforce must be analyzed and planned for, especially if the CW-1 program is subject to change or termination. With the economy in a delicate situation, the potential impact on the labor market and overall economic health cannot be overstated.