A lawmaker has filed a bill in the House of Representatives to extend the current probationary period for regularizing workers from six months to 24 months.
Probinsyano Ako party-list representative Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr. filed the bill which seeks to amend the Labor Code of the Philippines and allow employers to “avoid the automatic regularization” of employees in their workforce.
“A period of six months under the present set up is not sufficient a period in order for the employer to determine if the probationary employee is qualified for regular employment, especially in positions which require specialized skills and talents,” the lawmaker said.
Singson added that because of the current set up, employers opted to terminate workers under probation in order to avoid regulazing ‘substandard’ employee.
The Labor Code states that employers cannot easily terminate a regular worker unless for the followint causes:
1. Serious misconduct or willfull disobedience to lawful and work-related orders
2. Gross and habitual neglect of duties
3. Fraud or willful breach of an employer’s trust
4. Commission of a crime or offense against an employer or their family
The Labor Code is aslo clear that those who were allowed to work beyond 6 months are considered regular workers.
