Guam Unemployment Insurance Update

I am sorry to report that there is no update when it comes to the Guam unemployment system. Why? Well, basically, it’s because at this time of writing, I could find no evidence that Guam has changed its unemployment insurance system—or should I say, lack of unemployment insurance system?

That is right. The territory of Guam does not have an unemployment system for its workers and employers. I know, I know. You’re remembering back to when we discussed workers’ comp, and Guam then entered in to the discussion because it did have a workers’ comp system in place to protect workers that get injured on the job. But as far as unemployment benefits go, Guam is a no show for the time being.

How can that be? Well, the answer lies in the basic political situation on the island. Here I go again—on another history lesson! Well, in this case, it could help Guam employers and their employees understand their particular situation, so I am going ahead with the history lesson.

The basic gist of it is that Guam is based on a U.S.-based political system. It has a government that is popularly elected by its citizens. It has a one-body legislature with 15 members. And it even elects one delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Sure, that rep can’t vote in the U.S. House, but they can at least be heard and report back to the Guam citizens about the comings and goings of American politics. Guam can even vote in the U.S. presidential election, though their votes don’t count toward the overall results.

The basic idea is that Guam is a U.S. territory. Compare that with Puerto Rico and Northern Mariana Islands, which are commonwealths technically of the United States. Therein lies how Guam can behave in many ways like U.S. states do, but does not have to, is not allowed to, follow all of the labor laws and customs of those states.