Statement of Senator Joel Villanueva on Chinese laborers found to have been working at a construction site in Metro Manila

We learned about the incident of Chinese laborers working at a construction site from a news report that aired on Thursday, March 28.

We urge the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to look into this matter, being the sole agency that has the technical capacity to vet the ability of foreigners to work legally on our shores. DOLE issues alien employment permits to foreigners after a review process that detemines there is no Filipino who is capable, able, and willing to perform the job. This is the legal way for foreigners to work here.

We must continue to be vigilant in protecting jobs for our kababayans. Claims that our labor market lacks the qualified workers are baseless, and certainly does not justify the presence of foreign workers in the country when there are Filipinos more than ready to take on the job.