For Immediate Release – July 13, 2022
Guam Department of Labor Reminds Employers to Comply with Work Authorization Laws
Hagåtña, Guam – The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) is stepping up efforts to identify potential violations of labor laws, particularly in areas of employment authorization. Employers are reminded that they are required to only hire individuals who may legally work in the U.S., which include U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents, and aliens authorized to work.
To comply with the law, employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of each person they hire; complete and retain a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification for each employee; and refrain from discriminating against individuals on the basis of national origin or citizenship.
Additionally, GDOL is aware of and investigating recent events involving foreign nationals entering Guam’s borders from the CNMI by boat. While the work statuses of these individuals are being verified, employers and contractors are again reminded that they are responsible for ensuring all employees they hire are authorized to work in the U.S. and Guam.
In addition to federal penalties employers may face for violating federal work authorization laws, Guam law allows for licensing sanctions of businesses if it is determined during a worksite inspection that an employee does not possess a lawful work status. A first offense is subject to a license sanction fee of $1,000 per worker without lawful status and a possible 30-day suspension of the employer’s business license. A second offense is subject to a license sanction fee of $2,000 per worker without lawful status and a possible 60-day suspension of the employer’s business license. A third offense is subject to automatic revocation of the employer’s business license.
GDOL’s Alien Labor Processing and Certification Division (ALPCD) will be visiting job sites and conducting inspections to ensure compliance with local and federal laws and regulations. To report any potential violations of work authorization or alien labor laws, or suspicious activities, contact ALPCD at 671-475-8003 or via email at alpcd@nulldol.guam.gov.
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