Review on foreign work permits set

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered a review of the rules on the issuance of employment permits to foreign nationals to cut red tape and in view of recent immigration controversies.

At the same time, the Department of the Interior and Local Government ( DILG) has directed all local governments to have all domestic workers registered in their respective barangays to ensure the safety of both the employers and the workers.

Bello has tasked Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) director Dominique Tutay to lead the review of Department of Labor and Employment ( DOLE)’ s Department Order 146- 15 series of 2015 “towards simplification and synchronicity with various government policies.”

“By simplifying the procedures and ensuring that the Alien Employment issuance process is harmonized with other government policies, we can serve our clients better,” Bello said in a statement.

He said the move is intended to “promote competitiveness and ease of doing business in the country, as well as contribute in eradicating red tape.”

A consultation workshop has been set for DOLE-Alien Employment Permit ( AEP) regional implementers, medarbiters, technical support service division chiefs and focal persons on Feb. 21-22.

Bello said the workshop is expected to address all issues and concerns on the issuance of AEP.

“The goal is to come up with a synchronized, timely and effective amendment that will be beneficial to the economy while protecting the interest of Filipino workers,” he added.

Tutay said the workshop is in anticipation of the joint memorandum circular (JMC) on the Rules and Procedures Governing Foreign Nationals Intending to Work in the Philippines.

“The workshop is being mounted by the BLE in anticipation of various changes in the procedures on the issuance of permits and visas to foreign nationals for employment purposes in the Philippines, particularly to those whose positions may constitute practice of professions and whose employers may be covered by the Anti-Dummy Law,” she said.

The JMC seeks to synchronize various government policies on the employment of foreign nationals in the Philippines.