MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday reported a surge in the number of Koreans and other foreigner coming to work in the country in the past few years.
Data from the DOLE’s Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) showed that the number of foreign nationals working in the country more than doubled from 2000 to 2009.
BLES noted that in 2009, DOLE issued a total of 12,218 Alien Employment Permits (AEP) to foreign workers here, from 5,576 AEPs issued in 2000.
According to labor officials, the growth in the issuance of AEPs reflected the demand for foreign labor to enable the local economy to cope with the technological advancements in the global market.
Based on the BLES data, the country had the highest number of foreign workers in 2007 at 13,592, although the figure slightly went down two years after.
Since 2000, labor officials said Japanese nationals dominated the market for foreign workers here, but Korean nationals started to outnumber them in 2007.
The number of Korean nationals working here has increased fourfold since 2000, labor officials also said.
One third of the foreign workers were employed in manufacturing industries located in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) and Central Visayas.
Most of the foreign workers here are holding administrative, executive and managerial positions, while a considerable number of them are employed as technicians and associates.
Labor officials stressed that the government allows private companies to engage the services of foreign nationals only upon determination that there are no competent Filipino workers willing to apply for the position sought by these foreign applicants. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
June 6: Migrant Workers Day
June 19: Filipino Youth Day
June 25: Day of the Filipino Seafarer
