Labor groups demand end of contractualization

CEBU, Philippines — Members of Partido ng Manggagawa, Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines among others simultaneously held picket rallies in front of the DOLE offices in Intramuros, Calamba, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Bacolod, and Davao City yesterday morning.

"Ang among gihimo ganiha usa kadto ka concerted effort aron pirmahan na gyud ni Presidente Duterte ang Executive Order nga version sa mamumuo ug dili ang version sa mga employers," said Arturo Barrit, ALU-TUCP spokesperson.

"President Duterte won on a campaign platform of abolishing contractualization. Two long years have passed and the promise remains unfulfilled. Duterte criticizes EDSA for its broken promises but his own vow to end endo remains unrealized," said PM chairman and Nagkaisa spokesperson Rene Magtubo.

Duterte earlier promised to labor leaders during a dialogue in Malacañang to decide on the issue by March 15.DOLE issued Department Order 174 on contractualization last year but it did not sit well with the labor sector.

"DO 174 is no different from previous orders which allow contractualization, and give wide latitude to capitalists to subcontract and replace regular employees with contractual workers. Thus, we are asking President Duterte to issue an EO to implement his campaign promise of ending contractualization,” Magtubo said.

Barrit said they are also urging the Senate to pass the Security of Tenure Bill. The labor groups also called on Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello to act on major labor disputes in the country like in the Lakepower, Coke, and Philippine Airlines. (FREEMAN)