DOLE cancels work permit of 6 foreign workers in raided Pampanga steel firm
DOLE Secretary Francis "Tol" Tolentino (Facebook)
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino ordered on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the cancellation of the working permit of six foreign workers who are linked to a steel manufacturing company in Pampanga which was raided and shut down last month for allegedly producing substandard products.
Tolentino said the cancellation of the Alien Employment Permits (AEP) of the six Chinese was in connection with what the investigation report described as severe health and safety risks to employees and the general public.
DOLE said the health threat is also due to the potential presence of nuclear waste and radioactive materials inside the Chuangxing Steel Incorporated in Magalang town.
The area was raided and ordered shut down for allegedly producing steel products that do not comply with Philippine national standards and possible violations of environmental laws.
Around 300 workers were affected by the closure order, reportedly including workers brought in directly from mainland China without the required legal paperwork or employment permits.
A thorough investigation by DOLE also revealed that the company failed to present basic employment records and neglected to pay employees their proper overtime and holiday wages.
The probe also disclosed that company failed to provide mandatory worker benefits—including Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG coverage—and failed to present a Workplace Sexual Harassment Policy or establish a Committee on Decorum and Investigation
“I already ordered the immediate cancellation of the AEPs of the six Chinese as part of our mission to actively respond to the needs and concerns of the workforce and ensure their rights and welfare are fully protected,” said Tolentino.
He said the records of the six Chinese were already forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration to begin deportation proceedings.
The DOLE chief also directed Bantayan Manpower Services to fully cooperate with DOLE Regional Office 3 and resolve all existing non-compliance issues, particularly those concerning unpaid or improperly calculated wages and mandatory employee benefits.
A hearing was conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 11, in relation to the incident and for Tolentino, “This hearing should also bring changes to the mechanism and process for protecting Filipino workers.”