The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) revoked the Alien Employment Permits (AEP) of six Chinese nationals who work at the raided Chuangxing Steel Incorporated plant in Magalang, Pampanga.
Their records were endorsed to the Bureau of Immigration after authorities found that foreign workers had allegedly been brought directly from mainland China without the required employment documents and permits.
Chuangxing Steel was raided by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission in July over the alleged possession and use of radioactive-bearing industrial materials and the production of substandard steel products.
Authorities earlier reported seizing more than P3 billion worth of radioactive-bearing raw materials, substandard steel products and contaminated production equipment from the plant, while hundreds of workers were removed from allegedly hazardous working conditions.
Apart from the issue on employment of foreign workers, labor authorities flagged serious health and safety risks arising from the potential presence of radioactive materials inside the facility.
An investigation also found that the company failed to present basic employment records and allegedly did not properly pay overtime and holiday wages.
Workers were also found without mandatory Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG coverage.
Chuangxing Steel also failed to present a workplace sexual harassment policy and establish a Committee on Decorum and Investigation.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino directed Bantayan Manpower Services to cooperate with DOLE Regional Office 3 in resolving deficiencies involving wages and mandatory employee benefits.
Meanwhile, the work stoppage order issued against the Magalang facility on July 25 remains in effect.
‘This hearing should also bring changes to the mechanism and process for protecting Filipino workers,’ Tolentino said.