The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) issued 27,413 alien employment permits (AEPs) to Chinese nationals in 2024 that allowed them to work in the country.

The Chinese were followed by Vietnamese nationals who received 9,444 AEPs; Indonesians (3,760), Indians (3,414), Japanese (3,053), South Koreans (2,365), Malaysians (2,029), Burmese (1,855), Taiwanese (1,821) and Thai nationals (750).

The Labor department also issued 4,408 AEPs to other nationals, bringing the total to 60,312 AEPs issued in 2024. This was a decrease compared to the 69,612 AEPs issued by the DoLE in 2023.

The industry with the highest number of AEPs issued to foreign nationals was information and communication with 10,085. This was followed by arts, entertainment, and recreation with 9,466 AEPs; administrative and support service activities with 8,911; and professional, scientific and technical activities with 8,935.

Concerns have been raised about the growing number of Chinese nationals employed in the country, particularly in the now banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator industry.