DOLE rejects 2-year probationary period

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III rejected yesterday a proposed bill in the House of Representatives seeking to extend the employment probation period from six months to two years.

Bello said extending the probationary period violates workers’ right to security of tenure as he described House Bill 4802 as anti-worker.

“The DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) has taken a different position on the proposed measure because such extension is too long. Kawawa naman ang ating mga manggagawa (Pity our workers),” he said in a radio interview.

Bello noted that many employees are not regularized automatically after the six-month probationary period in violation of the Labor Code. 

“There are employers who terminate their workers before they reach six months at work. The employees will be re-hired after one or two months to avoid the six-month probation period,” he said.

President Duterte has opposed “endo” or end of contract system.

The proposed bill filed by Probinsyano Ako party-list Rep. Jose Singsong Jr. drew criticism from various labor organizations.

Bello expressed hope that Congress will not pass the proposed measure.

“Assuming that it will be approved by Congress, if the President will ask the labor department, we will recommend a veto because this can be abused by employers,” he said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he would not support calls to extend to two years the probation period of employees to be regularized at work.