Philippines plans to cut expat worker numbers

In a move likely to raise concerns within the Philippines expat community, the government is planning to cut the numbers of expatriates living in the archipelago.

Restrictions on foreigners’ right to entry are to be based on the skills in demand across the country, with the issuance of the Alien Employment Permit closely scrutinised to ensure expatriates have the right qualifications and experience to be of use. For some decades, the Philippines has been a centre for Western expats wishing to retire or start small businesses in the region as well as for those reassigned by their existing companies.

The government’s decision is the result of complaints by various labour groups about the increasing number of foreigners arriving to work in the country. According to the Filipino Trade Union Congress, the ever-increasing numbers of expat workers are undermining the limited jobs market and taking jobs away from Filipino citizens struggling to maintain their families through their work. Workplace inspections are to be undertaken in order to validate work permits held by foreign employees, with some 115,000 holding permits to date. The bulk of foreign workers are Chinese, with over 50,000 employed across the country in addition to over 12,000 Japanese nationals and around the same number of South Koreans.

Many foreign workers are employed in the mining industry and have work permits issued by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, with other agencies such as the Professional Regulation Commission and the Department of Justice also able to issue the permits. For expat professionals relocating to the country, the Immigration Department provides pre-arranged employment visas as well as the extendable three month Special Working Permit. The recent Expat City Ranking survey rated Manila at 28th amongst 72 world cities surveyed, with one reason given that employers are easy to deal with provided employees are doing a good job.