Bello allays fears of Chinese workers grabbing jobs from Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Thursday quelled fears that Filipinos may lose job opportunities as Chinese workers continue to flood the local job market.

In a Palace briefing, Bello stressed that there is “no rampant” situation where jobs for Filipinos are being given to Chinese nationals.

He explained that only jobs Filipinos cannot perform are being given to foreigners, particularly jobs in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) which requires fluency in the Chinese language.

READ: BI: Rush of Chinese workers in PH likely due to ‘emerging industries’

“It is a basic requirement in the issuance of an AEP (Alien Employment Permit) that you can only issue an AEP to foreign nationals if that national is going to do a job or a service that cannot be performed by a Filipino,” Bello said.

The labor chief said they are now studying the revocation of a Department of Labor and Employment order granting the Bureau of Immigration the authority to issue AEPs.

“Now with the concern being raised by some sectors that there are so many foreigners working without permits, some foreigners doing business without permit, we are studying the possibility of revoking that delegation of authority in coordination of course with the Department of Justice who has supervision over the [Bureau] of Immigration,” Bello said.

He also said that an inter-agency body will be created to study concerns about online gaming operations, which attracts thousands of Chinese workers.

The influx of Chinese workers in the country sparked a Senate inquiry as senators lamented that they were taking jobs away from competent Filipinos. /ee

READ: Senate to probe influx of illegal Chinese workers