MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the Security of Tenure bill, a measure that could end the rampant contractualization in the country.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, author of the bill at the Senate, was dismayed over the rejection of his proposal, that could lapse into law on Friday if not signed by Duterte.
“Isang masamang panaginip,” exclaimed Villanueva on Friday. “We are always concerned of how much of our profit will be eroded by the Security of Tenure bill.”
“Ang hiling po sana natin sa usapin ng security of tenure ay makiisa sa mga mangaggawa na ang iniisip lagi ay pangtustos sa kanilang pamilya tuwing ma e-ENDO,” he added.
The measure states that employees will be directly hired by companies and not through labor-only contracting agencies.
Should employees remain under the supervision of these agencies, the company will absorb them or regularize them.
It added all employees, except those under probationary, are deemed regular, including project and seasonal employees. The services of any employee cannot be terminated without just and unauthorized cause.
Duterte said his commitment to protect workers remains firm despite turning down the “anti-endo” bill.
“Our goal, however, has always been to target the abuse while leaving businesses free to engage in those practices beneficial to both management and the workforce,” Duterte added.
He said that “while labor-only contracting must be prohibited, legitimate job-contracting should be allowed” provided the contractor is “well capitalized, has sufficient investments, and affords its employees all the benefits.”
Duterte added “businesses should be allowed to determine whether they should outsource certain activities or not.”
Curbing labor contractualization was among Duterte’s promises when he assumed presidency in 2016, but the issue was left out of the President’s 4th State of the Nation Address on Monday./PN
