Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma met with executives of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AMCHAM) and discussed labor issues and policies concerning the employment of foreign workers in the Philippines.
The meeting occurred when AMCHAM executives led by the group's Human Capital and Resources Committee chairperson Ernie Cecilia visited the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) main office in Manila.
Laguesma said the meeting focused on the discussion of the priorities of the Marcos administration and current labor issues and policies, including telecommuting, work arrangement, security of tenure, employment of foreign nationals, and the issuance of Alien Employment Permits (AEP).
Laguesma discussed with the AMCHAM officials the importance of implementing mutual policies that involve American nationals that are currently employed in the Philippines.
Laguesma and Cecilia vowed to come up with necessary contingencies to ensure the safety of foreign workers in the country.
Laguesma also directed the DOLE Regional Offices to fast-track the applications of AEP.
Under the Department Order No. 221, s. 2021 or the Revised Rules and Regulations for the Issuance of Employment Permits to Foreign Nationals, all foreign nationals seeking gainful employment in the Philippines need to secure an AEP, regardless of the nature or duration of their employment.
“These include non-resident foreign nationals who are already working in the Philippines and those who already have working visas,” Laguesma said.