Labor groups hit DOLE version of anti-endo bill: It's a step backward in lawmaking

Labor groups on Tuesday criticized the initiative of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to create its own version of the anti-endo bill, calling it a step backward in lawmaking.

“Kung ang Department of Labor (and Employment) lamang ang magdedesisyon, eh parang paurong ‘ata yan sa ating sistema sa paggawa ng batas,” Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Sonny Matula said in a press conference.

After President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the anti-endo bill last month over his concerns on the definition of labor-only contracting and allowable outsourcing types, he tasked the Labor department to create a draft Security of Tenure (SOT) Bill to address those concerns. 

The vetoed bill was meant to eliminate subcontracting of labor and limit job contracting to licensed and specialized services. "Endo" refers to "end of contract", a practice wherein a worker's contract is terminated before the sixth month of employment is reached, to avoid the worker being regularized and made eligible to enjoy benefits.

In a statement, DOLE said its SOT bill version will be submitted to both houses of Congress.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said it is a ‘balanced’ version that will provide security of tenure to workers without hurting the viability of businesses and investments in the country.

DOLE will also define the ‘labor-only contracting’ and determine the extent of the company management’s prerogative in picking certain jobs to be allowed for outsourcing.

Hontiveros, who will file a new version of the anti-endo bill in the 18th Congress on Tuesday, agreed with Matula, saying there are actually enough laws for the capitalist economy but incomplete laws for the workers.

“Butas-butas, kahit Labor Code, kahit DO (department order), kahit pa mga EO (executive order). So ano 'yung ipinaglalaban nila? Nakikita nila 'yung kakulangan,” Hontiveros said in the press conference.

A pro-worker version of the SOT bill is really needed to complete the legal framework for workers that will allow them to benefit from the fruits of their labor, she added.

Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) chair Daniel Edralin said they have been attending consultation meetings and summits with Bello in the past, but, according to him, the Labor secretary has done nothing for them.

“Wala naman siya naging aksyon e,” Edralin said.

Hontiveros and the labor groups urged the government to pass "the strongest version of the anti-endo bill" after Duterte vetoed the "watered-down" measure last month.

Labor groups and Senator Hontiveros urge President Duterte to pass the “strongest version” of anti-endo bill that will be filed by the senator, after Duterte vetoed a watered-down version on July. The new bill prohibits fixed-term employment unlike the vetoed version. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/t4MORXSU6r

— Joviland Rita (@jovilandxrita) August 13, 2019

 —KG, GMA News