By Leslie Ann G. Aquino
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Tuesday said the Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) of foreign workers will automatically be cancelled if the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), where they are employed, leave the country.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III
(ROBINSON NIÑAL JR. / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
He said this amid the reported exodus of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) due to tax issues.
"Their AEPs are automatically cancelled. They don't have the right to work here anymore since their operators (employers) have already left the country," Bello said in an interview.
An AEP is one of the requirements for the issuance of a work visa to foreigners, who intend to engage in gainful employment in the Philippines.
An AEP is issued once it is ascertained that a foreign worker will be performing a job that local workers are not capable of doing.
The Labor chief said foreign workers need to apply for a new AEP if they find a new employer.
"They will have to apply again because we need to verify if their next employer or operator is paying the right taxes," Bello said.
Bello, however, said that they have yet to receive any information or report from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) regarding the reported exodus of POGOs.