Nancy Binay to BI: Cancel work permits of Chinese construction workers

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay has called on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to cancel the special working permits (SWPs) it had issued to Chinese construction workers across the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Binay said “the BI’s issuance of SWPs is illegal and contrary to law, and the agency should start detaining and deporting these workers.”

“Construction workers and other work connected to manual labor are not included in the issuance of SWPs,” she added.

The senator cited the following to be forbidden as per the SWP’s supplemental guidelines: foreign construction workers, cashiers, waiters, janitors, household workers, carpenters, garbage collectors, security guards and warehouse caretakers.

Binay also called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to inspect construction sites “to find out if Chinese workers there have permits.”

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente earlier said in a statement that the BI would impose more stringent requirements and more rigid procedures from foreign workers seeking work permits.

He said no work permits would be issued to aliens seeking jobs as construction workers, cashiers, janitors, carpenters, and other blue-collar jobs. /muf

READ: Immigration to tighten rules on foreigners seeking work permits