THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has shortened processing of alien employment permits (AEP) to 10 working days from 15, while reducing the documents employers and foreign workers must submit.
Department Order No. 248-C, signed in October, took effect on Thursday, DoLE said in a statement. The agency may extend processing once, for up to 10 working days.
Applicants no longer need to submit permits from the Department of Justice, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Professional Regulation Commission and Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board when applying for a permit.
DoLE also allows employers to publish labor market test vacancy notices free through its alien employment permit portal, replacing paid notices in broadsheets. The portal offers employers an accessible, lower-cost way to meet the publication requirement, the agency said.
DoLE said the changes seek to improve public service and comply with the Anti-Red Tape Act. It applies to foreign employment applications. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking