By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma has signed an order outlining new rules and regulations for the employment of foreigners in the Philippines, specifically the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) Guidelines.
DOLE stated that the revised AEP guidelines represent a significant step toward streamlining the process and rationalizing the requirements for issuing work permits to foreign nationals.
The changes aim to strike a balance between promoting investment, protecting local labor, and ensuring the transfer of skills to Filipino workers, the agency added.
“Itinatakda ng mga binagong alituntunin ng AEP ang mga makabuluhang hakbang tungo sa rasyonalisasyon ng mga kinakailangan at pagsasaayos ng pagproseso ng mga permit sa pagtatrabaho para sa mga banyaga na naglalayong balansehin ang pagsulong ng pamumuhunan, lokal na proteksyon sa paggawa, at tiyakin ang paglilipat ng mga kasanayan sa mga manggagawang Pilipino,” said DOLE.
Over the past three years, DOLE has issued a total of 192,573 AEPs to foreign workers in various industries across the country.
This move aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., under Executive Order No. 18, Series of 2023, which seeks to boost foreign direct investment (FDI), according to DOLE.
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