Duterte not keen on deporting illegal Chinese workers

Banning illegal Chinese workers has not been an idea welcomed by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. The president has cautioned that a ban on Chinese workers may generate a tit-for-tat action from the Chinese government, putting at risk the 300,000 Filipino workers currently working on the mainland. To note, the Bureau of Immigration earlier said it wanted to do a headcount of all foreigners in the country after receiving reports that thousands of Chinese are in the Philippines as tourists but are being illegally hired in Chinese-controlled industries. The Senate committee on labor last week continued its inquiry into the alleged explosive growth of Chinese workers in the Philippines. The inquiry began last year. Duterte has come under criticism for turning to China for loans and grants to finance his ambitious infrastructure program and other endeavors.