Workers may be regularized any time within 2-year probation period –solon

Probinsyano Ako party-list Representative Jose "Bonito" Singson Jr. on Sunday clarified that employers can regularize workers any time within his proposed 24-month probationary employment period.

Singson made the clarification after labor agencies and groups opposed his House Bill 4802, which seeks to extend the six-month probationary employment period to up to two years.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Singson pointed out that his intention in filing the bill was to save employees from losing their jobs too quickly, forcing them to find work every six months.

"Kung masusunod itong gusto natin na 24 months, hindi sila mate-terminate at magtutuluy-tuloy ang kanilang pagha-hanapbuhay. At least may inuuwi silang sahod, imbes na after five months o six months, nag-iikot na naman sila at naghahanap ng trabaho at gumagastos sa paghahanap ng trabaho," he said.

"Walang sinasabi na hindi pwedeng i-regularize nang one month, three months, nine months. You can regularize an employee if you recognize that he is deserving at any time during the probationary period," he added.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III found the 24-month probationary period too long, adding that should the worker need more time to be familiarized with the job, he or she may enter into an apprenticeship agreement with the employer.

Labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, meanwhile, rejected the proposal and denounced the bill as a cheap trick to exploit workers.

Singson said that while abusive employers do exist, the greatest abuse towards employees is the "mass termination" in companies every six months.

He also believed the proposal would remove "end of contract" schemes as employers would no longer have a strong basis to terminate an employee once he or she gets familiarized with the job after 24 months.

"Mas mahina na yung kanyang rason para i-terminate kasi nabigyan na siya ng panahon para i-appreciate nang husto at ma-train yung kanyang empleyado. Tsaka tinuloy niya ang serbisyo, ibig sabihin na-appreciate niya. Sa anim na buwan, medyo gipit nang kaunti," he said.

Singson urged his detractors to read the bill before commenting on it.

"Hindi pa nila nababasa, hindi pa nila napapakinggan, hindi pa nila nakikita yung ating eksplanasyon, rason at analysis kung bakit natin sinulong ito, ay dahil may nagsalita na kawawa ang manggagawa, nag-bandwagon effect na," he said.

"Dahil sensitive yung issue, kawawa ang manggagawa, maski walang katuturan," he added.

The measure is currently pending with the House Committee on Labor and Employment. — Erwin Colcol/DVM, GMA News