DOLE mulls easing rules on hiring of foreign workers

MANILA, Philippines - The government is looking at exempting foreign experts from certain requirements for employment.

Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is identifying occupation shortage open for application to foreign nationals.

“We are working on a record known as Skills Occupational Shortage List (SOSL) that shall serve as basis for exemption of foreign experts from certain requirements,” she said.

Last year, DOLE removed unnecessary procedures and imposed stricter provisions on the revocation of alien employment permit.

The new policy requires foreign nationals to secure new Alien Employment Permit (AEP) before assuming new jobs in their current firms or to transfer to a new position within related companies or start employment with a new company.

An AEP is required for foreigners seeking  employment. An application for AEP is subject to publication requirements to allow the public to object to the new employment or job change. 

Foreigners found to be working in the Philippines without a valid AEP would be fined P10,000 for every year of illegal work or fraction thereof.

Commercial firms illegally employing foreigners would also be fined P10,000 for every year of illegal employment or a fraction thereof.

Baldoz said the DOLE is slowly shortening the process of securing AEP in order to encourage easier employment process and promote wider labor mobility.

It is in preparation for the establishment of an ASEAN economic community by 2015 to allow free movement of professionals in ASEAN countries, she added.   

The DOLE and other concerned agencies are exerting all efforts to develop the skills of Filipino professionals to be able to qualify for jobs in any ASEAN member state, Baldoz said.