President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a landmark executive order (EO) that puts an end to illegal contractualization in the Philippines.
Duterte inked the EO on Tuesday, May 1, and made the announcement during a speech in a Labor Day celebration in Cebu.
The president said that the EO prohibits “illegal contracting or subcontracting or undertaking to circumvent the workers’ right to security of tenure.”
“I remain firm in my commitment to put an end to ‘endo’ and illegal contractualization,” he added in his speech.
Duterte also expressed confidence that the EO will ease laborers’ worries regarding the lack of security of tenure.
“Security of tenure refers to the right of employees not to be dismissed or removed without just and authorized cause and observance of procedural due process pursuant with the Constitution and Labor Code,” the president said.
The president also said that the government will continue to provide “dignified and meaningful employment” but adds that the newly signed executive order is not enough to ensure security of tenure.
“I can only implement but if there are things that need to be corrected, modified to suit the needs or the demand of time… We have to amend or correct or recommend revision or revisit the laws,” Duterte said.
The Palace has yet to release a copy of the EO.
“Endo,” which stems from the term “end of contract,” refers to the practice of short-term contracts short of six months that would make a worker a regular employee.
Reactions
The newly signed executive order has triggered different reactions from various groups.
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines, or ECOP, expressed concerns about some provisions outlined in the EO.
“Government though must be credited in its serious and sincere effort to craft an EO that meets the expectations of both labor and capital,” the group said in a statement.
Various labor groups also shared their two-cents regarding the fresh EO, which they described as pro-employer.
“There is nothing new in the EO,” Rep. Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis Paty-list) said. “What the workers demanded is total prohibition of contractualization by virtue of direct hiring.”
Kilusang Mayo Uno Chairperson Elmer Labog laments that labor groups were not consulted when the presidential order was drafted.
The KILOS NA Manggagawa, meanwhile, urged Duterte to show to the public the EO he signed.
“If President Duterte had the intention of signing an Executive Order which is line with the demands of the workers, he would not exclude us from full knowledge of it,” the group said.
