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MANILA - Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday urged Filipinos to report foreign nationals doing jobs that can be done by locals since the department does not have enough inspectors to check the entire country.

There are only 800 inspectors vis-à-vis 900,000 business establishments, Bello told ANC.

Reports can be made through the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Hotline 1349, Bello said. Smart and Globe Telecom subscribers can easily reach DOLE by dialing 1-3-4-9 without any prefix.

"We would really appreciate any report from any sector or any body about foreign workers doing works that can be done by Filipinos," Bello said.

"We will start checking on foreign workers with special working permits, workers in the online offshore gaming and foreign workers in economic zones," he added.

• Foreigners can't work in jobs fit for Filipinos: labor chief

Bello said DOLE had recommended the deportation of at least 29 Chinese construction workers after their presence was reported to the agency.

"We have to emphasize that we cannot allow workers here to work if the work they’re doing can be done by Filipinos," he said.

Another 1,000 compliance officers will join the department soon, with the help of Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez, Bello earlier said.

When asked about Sen. Nancy Binay's proposal for a total ban on foreign construction workers, Bello said he must first see the provisions in the bill.

The government should also consider the existing bilateral agreements with other countries, Bello said, adding that the Philippines "is one of the biggest exporters" of workers in the world.

The influx of Chinese nationals working in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs has prompted the government to compile a list of foreign workers to ensure that they are paying the correct taxes.

• Finance chief wants foreign workers list validated