The Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Marianas, Eloy Inos, says the ten hours to be cut from each two weeks pay period beginning in mid-May will continue until well into next year, as the government struggles to cut spending.
The cuts apply only to officials and staff of the executive branch of the civil service.
Mr Inos has assured the private sector there are no plans for immediate tax hikes and the government is aiming to keep the cost of doing business down, which he contrasts with the Senate's proposal to cover budget shortfalls.
He says the Senate's rejection of the administration-backed austerity bill will make the government's financial problems worse.
In place of the austerity measures, the Senate has suggested raising many of the existing taxes and fees, and imposing new ones.
