MANILA, (PIA) — Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma signed Department Order No. 248, Series of 2025, establishing new regulations for Alien Employment Permits (AEP) for foreign workers in the Philippines.
The updated AEP guidelines aim to streamline requirements and improve the processing of work permits for foreign nationals.
This effort seeks to balance the promotion of investment, protect local labor, and ensure the transfer of skills to Filipino workers.
In the past three years, DOLE has issued a total of 192,573 AEPs to foreign workers across various industries.
The enhanced AEP guidelines align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive under Executive Order No. 18, Series of 2023, which aims to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) by ensuring efficient business processes.
These reforms are expected to benefit employers in priority investment sectors through expedited procedures, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a competitive and investor-friendly destination in the region.
The new guidelines also aim to simplify processes, reduce red tape, and speed up government transactions. They ensure that foreign workers contribute to priority sectors while respecting the rights of Filipino laborers.
Under the new regulations, the labor market test has been simplified, requiring only publication in a widely circulated newspaper.
This change aims to save costs and reduce wait times for employers and foreign applicants seeking AEPs.
Additionally, the labor market test will also be published on PhilJobNet, the government’s official job matching portal, to enhance clarity and efficiency for employers and job seekers.
A key feature of the guidelines is the establishment of mechanisms for the transfer of skills and knowledge between foreign workers and their Filipino counterparts.
This will be facilitated through an Understudy Training Program (UTP) and Skills Development Program (SDP) implemented by employers with foreign workers.
These programs aim to ensure that necessary skills are passed on to Filipino workers, fostering their development and reducing reliance on foreign labor.
Moreover, the guidelines introduce an Economic Needs Test (ENT), a crucial criterion for evaluating AEP applications.
The ENT assesses the necessity of hiring foreign workers based on the availability of qualified Filipino workers, protecting local job opportunities. This proposal will undergo public consultations in the coming months to ensure inclusivity and emphasize its importance.
DOLE remains committed to enhancing business development, workforce capabilities, and promoting inclusive economic growth while providing equal protection for local job opportunities. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
(Photo courtesy: DOLE Information and Publication Service)
