President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed to hold talks with organized labor groups over the contentious issue of work contracting, which gives employment to more than 30 million people.
Duterte had made a commitment during the campaign in last year’s elections to end contractualization within a few weeks of his assumption of office, reported Manila Times.
In compliance with the President’s directive, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reportedly drafted new g
uidelines on contractualization but was strongly opposed by workers’ groups for being anti-labor, which prompted Duterte to reject it.
Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Tuesday disclosed that the dialogue would take place on February 27, the report said.
Bello reportedly expressed confidence that the meeting will result in a compromise between workers and employers’ groups in ending illegal contractualization practices.
Organized labor groups have been batting for a total ban on contractualization, said the news portal.
Bello reportedly said the DOLE is one with the objective of the workers but pointed out that it must be done in accordance with existing laws.
He called on labor and employers to keep an open mind and consider the possibility of finding a middle ground that would be mutually beneficial to all concerned.
