TUCP opposes proposed 2-year probationary period for workers

The proposal to extend the probationary period for workers in the country would impede their welfare, according to the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Thursday.

“Instead of actually dapat beneficial, progressive o makatulong sa manggagawang Pilipino, it will actually encourage ‘yung kontraktwalisasyon,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said in a press conference.

“Ang sahod mo 75% hindi siya 100%, probationary ka eh,” he pointed out, noting that probationary employees are also at the mercy of getting fired anytime in the absence of security of tenure.

Representative Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr. of the Probinsyano Ako party-list recently filed a bill in the House which seeks to extend the current six-month probationary period to 24 months, in a bid to let employers assess whether an employee is qualified for regularization, particularly in positions requiring specialized skills and talents.

In a separate statement, Labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) on Thursday rejected the proposal  and denounced the bill as a cheap trick to exploit workers.

“The proposed Labor Code amendments of Rep. Singson is but a cheap trick by capitalists like himself  to optimize their profits by delaying  workers’ regularization and entitlement to benefits,” BMP President Luke Espiritu claimed.

Many laborers would miss important benefits if this proposed measure becomes a law, TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

“Kapag ikaw ay probationary hindi ka entitled sa 13th month, hindi ka entitled sa Christmas bonus, hindi ka entitled sa promotions at iba pang incentives na ibinibigay ng companies,” Tanjusay said.

“Ang makukuha mo ay minimum wage lang at social protection benefits gaya ng SSS at PAG-Ibig. Aside from that, wala na,” he added.

According to BMP, the proposal showed how Philippine lawmakers are “completely out of touch with the conditions of the ordinary Filipinos and seek to further aggravate them.”

Businesses “merely want to cheapen labor” and increase the competitiveness of the job market, BMP’s Espiritu noted.

BMP will ask the Department of Labor and Employment to check the conditions of employees working in Singson’s companies.

“If this is Rep. Singson’s general outlook on workers’ rights, then it is most likely that his employees are bereft of benefits and their labor rights are violated,” Espiritu claimed.

“No matter how much he sugarcoats his proposal, this will only bolster the deprivation of workers’ rights and their equitable share in the fruits of their labor,” he added.

BMP chairperson Leody de Guzman flatly decried the proposal.

“Hindi pa nga tinupad ang pangakong wawakasan ang kontraktuwalisasyon, gusto pa nila lalong patindihin ang pagsasamantala sa mga manggagawa,” De Guzman said. —With a report by Joahna Lei Casilao/VDS, GMA New