Bello angry over alleged Chinese workers in construction site

March 30, 2019

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III late Friday ordered an investigation over the reported presence of several Chinese workers at a construction site in Ermita, Manila.

“That is very surprising. Just imagine how proximate it is here (DOLE head office). How could they be so blatant? Construction jobs being done allegedly by foreigners, Chinese at that,” said Bello.

“They will be inspected immediately. It’s just nearby, Ermita or Mabini, I believe,” he added.

Bello said if it is construction work, foreigners are not entitled to an Alien Employment Permit. 

“If it is construction work, definitely they are not entitled to an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) because these are works and services that can be performed by Filipinos,” said Bello.

He added they will also verify if they are indeed Chinese nationals.

“It is also possible that they are just Chinese looking,” he said.

Once proven to be illegally working, Bello said they will have the foreign workers deported.

“We will immediately report it to the Bureau of Immigration for deportation,” said Bello.

A TV news report showed foreigners doing manual labor, from mixing cement to loading, and carrying construction materials.

The report came amid the influx of hundreds of Chinese workers coming into the country to work illegally. DMS