Following the recent increase in the number of detained illegal foreign laborers in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded migrants yesterday to legalize their stay or face possible deportation.
“Alien workers also have the right to work here…if they will follow the law then there will be no problem,” Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod said in a phone interview.
Maglunsod issued the statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that at least 1,300 undocumented Chinese workers were found by authorities in Clark, Pampanga last November.
Authorities are still investigating how the Chinese nationals were able to slip pass local immigration process and work without any Alien Employment Permit (AEP).
AEP is a documentary requirement issued by DOLE’s regional offices for foreigners before they could be allowed to work in the country.
“If they do not have the permit then they will be sent to their countries, the same way our TNTs are sent home,” he added.
TNT, or “tago-ng-tago,” translates to “in perpetual hiding.” It is the Filipino term used to refer to undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFW) abroad.
DOLE has already instructed its regional offices to intensify the assessment of establishments to ensure all of the foreign workers within their jurisdiction have their AEPs.
“We told them to make sure the alien workers are compliant (with the AEP requirement)…We have to enforce what is in the law, to prevent what has happened in Clark,” Maglunsod said.
He said they were also ready to help the illegal migrants to process their AEP so they can legally work in the country.
“We are willing to help them if they will undergo processing (for the AEP),” Maglunsod said.
- Manila Bulletin
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