To protect the welfare of Filipino workers as well as to address the possible cases of foreign nationals illegally working in Davao Region, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI strictly enforces its Employment Regulatory Services especially on the issuance of Alien Employment Permit (AEP).
Th application for an AEP is the procedure used to assess whether a non-resident alien or foreign national’s application for employment conforms with the documentation requirements outlined in Department Order No. 221-2, Series of 2021: Revised Rules for the Issuance of Employment Permits to Foreign Nationals, as amended.
As of December 20, 2022, this year, DOLE XI has issued 493 AEPs to foreign nationals intending to work with a Philippines-based employer for more than six (6) months, pursuant to Article 40 of the Labor Code, as amended. From the total, 85.2% or 420 foreign nationals were based in Davao City. The top five (5) nationalities were Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Pakistani. Among the leading job positions were operations manager, marketing officers, and electrical specialists.
Since 2018, there is a significant increase of approximately 44% in the number of foreign nationals granted with AEPs.
Through a Regional Advisory issued on November 25, 2022, DOLE XI Foreign National Labor Inspectors (FNLIs) were able to conduct verification visit to 59 establishments as of December 20, 2022, that intended to employ foreign nationals. Said visit ascertained veracity of the information and documents submitted in relation to AEP application, in which those identified establishments were found compliant with the AEP requirements as stated in D.O. 221-2021. In cases of non-compliance, establishments are expected to comply with the lacking requirements and carry out necessary actions to proceed with the application of permits.
DOLE XI Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy said that while DOLE welcomes foreign nationals to have profitable careers in the country, the regional office is implementing stricter rules and regulations for the issuance of AEP to continuously ensure that local jobs are protected and to afford Filipinos of gainful employment with respect to their competencies, abilities, and willingness to perform services.
The application for AEP is filed at the DOLE Regional Office concerned or having jurisdiction over the intended place of work within ten (10) working days from date of signing of the contract or prior to the commencement of employment.
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