By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is hoping that Congress will give the agency the authority to penalize illegal foreign workers in the country.
DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III noted that they are also hoping to be able to sanction companies which hired these workers.
“I think it will be good if Congress will consider granting punitive authority to the DOLE. It’s not just punishing workers without permits. This will also include those who hired them even if they do not have permits, whether it is suspension of their operation permit or license to operation,” Bello told reporters in Filipino on Thursday.
Bello said there are concerted efforts to go after these illegal foreign workers or those who are working without alien employment permits (AEPs).
“If they are found to be working without alien employment permit, then what the department could do is merely recommend through the Bureau of Immigration that they be deported and blacklisted,” he added.
Bello said they are also inspecting special economic zones and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).
“We are keeping an eye especially on economic zones. POGOs have submitted to the department the list of all the workers whom they have issued working permits,” he added.
Meanwhile, DOLE Assistant Secretary Benjo Benavidez said the action of the government against illegally working Chinese nationals in the country will not affect Filipinos who are working in China.
“I think it won’t [affect them] because we are just doing our mandate. We, at the Executive Department, we just implement and enforce laws,” he said in a television interview.
Earlier reports noted an influx of Chinese nationals employed in the country, many of whom are working without permits.
