BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents arrested on Tuesday 55 Chinese nationals believed to have been working without proper permits.
The Chinese nationals, who were nabbed in raids in Manila, Quezon City and Malabon through a tip by the BI's anonymous source, are allegedly working in construction sites and retail establishments illegally.
BI spokesperson Elaine Tan said Wednesday these raids are part of the bureau's ongoing campaign to curb the number of foreigners suspected of working in the Philippines without the necessary documents.
"All apprehended subjects are presently being investigated whether the initial information against them are true," said Tan, adding the arrested foreigners are currently at the bureau's holding center in Bicutan, Taguig City.
"If the foreign national fails to present any document to support his employment, he will be issued the necessary charge sheet and will eventually be deported," Tan said.
She said that the efforts to identify the "bad guys" among foreigners in the Philippines are a work in progress.
"Based on our records, the 'bad guys' only comprise one percent of the foreign national population in the country. However, as their numbers are very minimal, the chance of locating them at the point of entry is like finding a needle in a haystack," Tan said.
The BI is presently pushing for a law to allow the Advance Passenger Information System to provide identification of the "bad guys" before their aircraft lands in the Philippines.
It is also planning to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to formulate measures in screening foreigners prior to issuance of entry visas to the Philippines.
Last week, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) asked the Senate and the House of Representatives to act on resolutions seeking to conduct an inquiry on the issue.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago called for a hearing as early as December last year while TUCP party-list Representative Democrito Mendoza filed a similar resolution last February.
"There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This undermines the job security in the country, as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland," said TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay.
He added that the presence of the illegal foreign workers has forced local job seekers to either seek employment abroad or just remain unemployed. (Sunnex) By Virgil B. Lopez
Showing posts with label Bureau of Immigration (BI). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bureau of Immigration (BI). Show all posts
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Probe sought on surging number of foreign workers
MANILA, Philippines - The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) yesterday called on Congress to investigate the surging number of Chinese and other foreigners allegedly working illegally in the country.
TUCP said the Senate and the House of Representatives must conduct a probe and come up with measures to curb the rising number of foreigners working in the country without government permits because this has adverse implications on local industries and in the employment situation of Filipinos.
Under the law, foreigners seeking employment in the Philippines are required to apply for an Alien Employment Permit.
But last week, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested 50 Chinese, one British and one Australian employed at the construction of a coal-fired plant in Davao City for working without permits, the TUCP reported.
The BI also deported last year more than 200 foreign workers employed at construction sites in Bataan and Batangas provinces, again for working without permits, the labor group added.
“There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This further undermines the job security in the country as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland,” TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay pointed out.
TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza earlier filed House Resolution 974, which seeks to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on illegal foreign workers in the country.
The investigation of Congress, Tanjusay noted, would benefit not only local workers but migrant workers as well, since it would ensure better working conditions for them.
Currently, illegal migrant workers are not covered by the law and therefore vulnerable to violation and exploitation of their basic rights.
Tanjusay also clarified that the TUCP is not against the entry of foreign workers in the country, but of its adverse impact on employment of Filipino workers, who leave the country to work abroad simply because there are no available jobs for them here.
- By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
TUCP said the Senate and the House of Representatives must conduct a probe and come up with measures to curb the rising number of foreigners working in the country without government permits because this has adverse implications on local industries and in the employment situation of Filipinos.
Under the law, foreigners seeking employment in the Philippines are required to apply for an Alien Employment Permit.
But last week, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested 50 Chinese, one British and one Australian employed at the construction of a coal-fired plant in Davao City for working without permits, the TUCP reported.
The BI also deported last year more than 200 foreign workers employed at construction sites in Bataan and Batangas provinces, again for working without permits, the labor group added.
“There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This further undermines the job security in the country as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland,” TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay pointed out.
TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza earlier filed House Resolution 974, which seeks to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on illegal foreign workers in the country.
The investigation of Congress, Tanjusay noted, would benefit not only local workers but migrant workers as well, since it would ensure better working conditions for them.
Currently, illegal migrant workers are not covered by the law and therefore vulnerable to violation and exploitation of their basic rights.
Tanjusay also clarified that the TUCP is not against the entry of foreign workers in the country, but of its adverse impact on employment of Filipino workers, who leave the country to work abroad simply because there are no available jobs for them here.
- By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
TUCP seeks probe of foreigners working in PHL without permits
THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Wednesday called for a thorough investigation on the entry of foreigners who are working in the country without government permits.
The group issued the call following the arrest of 52 more foreign workers allegedly working without valid working permits in Davao City last week.
In a statement, TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the arrest of the 42 foreigners in Davao City is proof that “there is a clear, continuing and growing violation” of the country’s laws.
The increasing incidence of migrants working in the country without government working permits and without fulfilling other requirements for alien workers has very serious adverse implications not only in the local construction industry, fishing, mining and other industries, but also in the current employment and underemployment situation in the country, he said.
Such trend, Tanjusay said, undermines the job security in the country, as these foreign workers compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in the country.
For not having valid working permits, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) rounded up last week 50 Chinese, a Briton and an Australian working in the construction of coal-fired power plant Therma South Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp.
There is also a need to investigate Aboitiz Power Corp. on how was it able to hire the foreigners amid the existence of the law, Tanjusay said. He said the foreigners must go through the due process legally mandated by the laws.
Under Department Order 12 (Series of 2001), known as the Omnibus Guidelines for the Issuance of Employment Permits of the Department of Labor and Employment, all foreigners seeking employment in the Philippines are required to apply for an Alien Employment Permit.
In December last year the BI detained and deported more than 200 foreign workers working in construction sites in Bataan and Batangas provinces after they were discovered to have without working permits.
Sen. Miriam-Defensor Santiago filed Senate Resolution 288 in December 2013 and Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza of TUCP filed House Resolution 974 on February 2014 to conduct an inquiry “in aid of legislation” on the matter but to no avail.
According to TUCP, Philippine unemployment rates have remained static on the average of 7 percent the past years. According to the April 2014 Labor Force Survey, the unemployment rate was at 7.0 percent or 2.924 million of the total labor force of 38,172,006, excluding the Typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas while 18.2 percent or seven million were underemployed, and about 36.9 percent or 1.078 million of the unemployed are were college undergraduates and graduates.
The World Bank in its Philippine Development Report (PDR) released in September 2013, estimates that about 10 million good jobs are needed to be generated per year which includes jobs for about three million people who are unemployed and seven million that are underemployed, and that the government also needs to create employment for another 1.15 million new entrants to the labor force every year from 2013 to 2016.
On the average, the government can only generate about 240,000 new employment opportunities annually which leave most job-seekers with no choice but to either seek employment abroad, remain unemployed, go back to school, or rely on financial support from employed family members for the time being, Tanjusay added.
- by Jonathan L. Mayuga, BusinessMirror
The group issued the call following the arrest of 52 more foreign workers allegedly working without valid working permits in Davao City last week.
In a statement, TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the arrest of the 42 foreigners in Davao City is proof that “there is a clear, continuing and growing violation” of the country’s laws.
The increasing incidence of migrants working in the country without government working permits and without fulfilling other requirements for alien workers has very serious adverse implications not only in the local construction industry, fishing, mining and other industries, but also in the current employment and underemployment situation in the country, he said.
Such trend, Tanjusay said, undermines the job security in the country, as these foreign workers compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in the country.
For not having valid working permits, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) rounded up last week 50 Chinese, a Briton and an Australian working in the construction of coal-fired power plant Therma South Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp.
There is also a need to investigate Aboitiz Power Corp. on how was it able to hire the foreigners amid the existence of the law, Tanjusay said. He said the foreigners must go through the due process legally mandated by the laws.
Under Department Order 12 (Series of 2001), known as the Omnibus Guidelines for the Issuance of Employment Permits of the Department of Labor and Employment, all foreigners seeking employment in the Philippines are required to apply for an Alien Employment Permit.
In December last year the BI detained and deported more than 200 foreign workers working in construction sites in Bataan and Batangas provinces after they were discovered to have without working permits.
Sen. Miriam-Defensor Santiago filed Senate Resolution 288 in December 2013 and Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza of TUCP filed House Resolution 974 on February 2014 to conduct an inquiry “in aid of legislation” on the matter but to no avail.
According to TUCP, Philippine unemployment rates have remained static on the average of 7 percent the past years. According to the April 2014 Labor Force Survey, the unemployment rate was at 7.0 percent or 2.924 million of the total labor force of 38,172,006, excluding the Typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas while 18.2 percent or seven million were underemployed, and about 36.9 percent or 1.078 million of the unemployed are were college undergraduates and graduates.
The World Bank in its Philippine Development Report (PDR) released in September 2013, estimates that about 10 million good jobs are needed to be generated per year which includes jobs for about three million people who are unemployed and seven million that are underemployed, and that the government also needs to create employment for another 1.15 million new entrants to the labor force every year from 2013 to 2016.
On the average, the government can only generate about 240,000 new employment opportunities annually which leave most job-seekers with no choice but to either seek employment abroad, remain unemployed, go back to school, or rely on financial support from employed family members for the time being, Tanjusay added.
- by Jonathan L. Mayuga, BusinessMirror
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
TUCP calls for probe on presence of illegal foreign workers
THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is calling on Congress to immediately conduct legislative inquiries on the continued presence of foreigners illegally employed in the country.
The labor group said there is already a need for Congress to intercede in the issue since many workers are affected by their presence.
"We urge the Senate and the House of Representatives to act on their pending resolutions calling for a probe in aid of legislation on the matter," said TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay in a statement.
He noted how Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and TUCP party-list Representative Raymond Mendoza filed Senate Resolution 288 in December 2013 and House Resolution 974 on February 2014, respectively, both calling for an inquiry on the controversy.
However, Tanjusay noted that no hearing was called by either chamber of Congress since then.
The call comes after several foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were arrested in Davao City after being found working without valid working permits last month.
Back in December 2013, more than 200 foreign workers employed in construction sites in Bataan and Batangas were also arrested and deported after they were discovered to have without working permit.
Tanjusay said it is unacceptable that domestic laws continue to be violated with the presence of foreigners allegedly working without valid working permits.
"There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This undermines the job security in the country, as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland," said Tanjusay.
Tanjusay said the presence of the illegal foreign workers ultimately forces local job seekers with no choice but to either seek employment abroad or just remain unemployed.
"We clearly reiterate that TUCP is not against the entry of foreign workers in the country, but of the adverse impact on our very own workers, who are being deprived of potential employment and livelihood opportunities," Tanjusay said.
To note, one of the requirements in getting an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is the determination of the Labor Secretary that there is no Filipino national who is competent, able and willing to do the job for which the services of the applicant is desired. (HDT/Sunnex)
The labor group said there is already a need for Congress to intercede in the issue since many workers are affected by their presence.
"We urge the Senate and the House of Representatives to act on their pending resolutions calling for a probe in aid of legislation on the matter," said TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay in a statement.
He noted how Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and TUCP party-list Representative Raymond Mendoza filed Senate Resolution 288 in December 2013 and House Resolution 974 on February 2014, respectively, both calling for an inquiry on the controversy.
However, Tanjusay noted that no hearing was called by either chamber of Congress since then.
The call comes after several foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were arrested in Davao City after being found working without valid working permits last month.
Back in December 2013, more than 200 foreign workers employed in construction sites in Bataan and Batangas were also arrested and deported after they were discovered to have without working permit.
Tanjusay said it is unacceptable that domestic laws continue to be violated with the presence of foreigners allegedly working without valid working permits.
"There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This undermines the job security in the country, as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland," said Tanjusay.
Tanjusay said the presence of the illegal foreign workers ultimately forces local job seekers with no choice but to either seek employment abroad or just remain unemployed.
"We clearly reiterate that TUCP is not against the entry of foreign workers in the country, but of the adverse impact on our very own workers, who are being deprived of potential employment and livelihood opportunities," Tanjusay said.
To note, one of the requirements in getting an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is the determination of the Labor Secretary that there is no Filipino national who is competent, able and willing to do the job for which the services of the applicant is desired. (HDT/Sunnex)
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