MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva on Tuesday expressed disappointment over President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to veto the special provision in the 2019 national budget that seeks to return to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) the sole authority to issue work permits to foreign workers. According to Villanueva, Senate committee hearings shows that the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which handles issuance of work permits to foreign workers with DOLE, has been corrupt in its practice. “Clearly, the influx of illegal foreign workers in sectors that should exclusively for Filipinos shows the Bureau’s incompetence and complete disregard for the welfare of Filipino workers,” Villanueva said. Despite the veto of the provision, Villanueva vowed to solve the increase in the number of illegal workers in the country. READ: New policy on foreign workers out by May 1ADVERTISEMENT/atmRead NextLATEST STORIESMOST READ

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 16, 2019 13:41 UTC