1. Department of Labor Suspends Prevailing Wage Determinations
As part of USADWEB's commitment to updating you on changes that could affect your labor certifications, we informed you in a recent NewsFlash about the suspension of prevailing wage determinations (PWD).
As we reported, the Department of Labor (DOL) has temporarily suspended the processing of prevailing wage determinations, including those for PERM labor certifications and H-1Bs. The National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) is currently focusing all its efforts on complying with a federal court order, resulting from the August 30, 2010 decision in CATA v. Solis. In this decision, the court ordered the DOL to create new H-2B prevailing wage regulations. Consequently, the NPWC must reissue certain determinations related to H-2B cases.
The NPWC has advised that processing will resume as soon as full compliance with the court order has been met. In the meantime, this processing suspension may create complications for some employers filing PERM labor certification applications. Due to the sensitive timeline for completing the mandatory recruitment and filing the application, which must be done during the validity period of a PWD, recruitment might expire before the PWD is received. In that case, all advertising would have to be repeated before filing a labor certification application.
USADWEB will continue to follow the situation, and will update you with any new information.
2. Office of Foreign Labor Certification Releases PERM Statistics
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification has released some interesting statistics about the Permanent Labor Certification Program for FY 2011.
Some highlights:
- There has been a 63% increase in cases filed FY 2011 over cases filed in FY 2010.
- As of May 31st, a total of 74% of the active cases required a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (split evenly 37% apiece). Only 4% require a Doctorate degree.
- Approximately 29% of active cases are in Audit status
The full charts can be viewed HERE.
3. United States Unemployment Rate July 2011
The unemployment rates around the country can greatly impact a company's decision to sponsor an application for labor certification. When unemployment rates are high, companies may elect not to proceed with the certification process. Rates can vary by state and industry. There are several states with jobless rates that are well below the national average. Employers in these states may be more available to sponsor employees. USADWEB is providing information on the current unemployment rates as a convenient tool to assist you as you prepare your cases. The unemployment rate decreased slightly from the rate of 9.2% in June back to 9.1% in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
4. PERM Processing Times as of June 27, 2011
PERM processing times are important to you and your clients. Therefore, each month USADWEB is pleased to be able to update you on the current processing times for reviews, audits, and appeals as reported on www.icert.doleta.gov:
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is working diligently to reduce the Permanent Labor Certification Program's pending caseload. They are on schedule to reach their goal of reducing the backlog by 50% in FY 2010. The dates on the above table reflect the month and year in which applications are now being adjudicated at the Atlanta National Processing Center. If you need assistance with an application that was filed more than 3 months prior to the month posted, you can contact the OFLC Helpdesk at plc.atlanta@dol.gov.
Clients'
Comments Corner
“We have worked with USADWEB in placing newspaper ads for immigration purposes for several years now. They have been very efficient in helping us get the ads placed and obtaining proof of ads placed. We can always rely on their assistance in getting the ads ordered and placed in a timely fashion on behalf of our clients.”
(Attorney, Seattle, WA)
About
USADWEB
USADWEB,
LLC.
is an innovative advertising agency that understands the immigration
needs of companies placing recruitment
advertising for labor certification cases in PERM,
supervised recruitment, and H2B processes. For more than half a
decade, we have helped law offices and companies all over the United
States meet the Department of Labor's recruiting requirements. Take
advantage of our expertise and relationships with publications
throughout the country. Our knowledgeable staff has experience
placing all forms of recruitment: newspapers, periodicals, journals,
internet job search postings, campus recruitment, radio ads, and
more. Contact a representative for more information on placing your
ads today!
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