(Eagle News)–Senator Joel Villanueva has urged the Department of Labor and Employment to allow inspectors to assist in the probe of the recent death of a Chinese national in Las Piñas, in light of the Chinese embassy’s pronouncements some Chinese nationals were subjected to abuse by their employers in the country.
In a statement, Villanueva said the DOLE inspectors should assess whether Yang Kang’s employer, who he said was also Chinese, complies with labor standards and regulations.
Villanueva noted information from police investigators that the victim was being held for nonpayment of debt.
The police said Yang died last week after falling from the sixth floor of his office building as he attempted to escape from his employer.
“Employers cannot hold their workers against their will, especially for nonpayment of debt. Baka kidnapping na po ‘yan. In fact, no less than our Constitution guarantees that ‘no person shall be imprisoned for debt’,” Villanueva said.
According to Villanueva, there was also the issue of human trafficking, which the Chinese embassy had said was one of the ways some employers in the Philippines secured foreign workers.
“Just as we campaign against the trafficking of Filipinos who are lured to work overseas by unscrupulous recruiters, our government should also prevent the trafficking of foreign nationals who are lured to work here in the country with false promises,” Villanueva said.
“Tulad na lamang po ng ating paghihikayat sa ating mga overseas Filipino workers na gawing legal and kanilang estado sa mata ng batas, ganyan din po natin hinihikayat ang mga banyagang manggagawa dito sa atin. Hindi po sila mapo-protektahan ng husto kung mananatili silang iligal,” Villanueva added.
