Move to extend workers’ probationary period nixed

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III opposed a congressional proposal to extend workers’ probationary period from six months to two years and vowed to uphold the Duterte administration’s policies on security of tenure and contractualization.

Bello stressed on Saturday that the proposal, authored by Probinsiyano Ako Rep. Jose Singson Jr., was not only “unnecessary” but also disadvantageous to workers.

Bello vowed to ask President Rodrigo Duterte to veto any such measure that would pass Congress. —Jovic Yee