Contractualization the ‘least of my problem,’ – Isko Moreno

FILE – Isko Moreno speaks to some 100 farmers in a town hall meeting in Tarlac City. Photo courtesy of Isko Moreno Campaign Team

MANILA, Philippines — Addressing labor contractualization would be the “least” of presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s problems as he stressed the urgent need to create jobs for Filipinos immediately.

“That’s the least of my problem. What I want is for you to have jobs. Jobs, jobs. Temporary, immediate, basta maghanapbuhay ka muna (as long as you can immediately earn a living),” Moreno told reporters after his dialogue with workers in Pampanga.

He was asked about his stand on contractualization.

“Kapag umuunlad na tayo, balikan natin yung issue na ‘yun (Once we progress, we can go back to that issue), for now we must find a way how to stimulate, as government, businesses so that they can sustain jobs,” the presidential aspirant went on.

“For now, I’m straight forward…it can be dealt [with], or pwede yang bigyan ng panahon sa maayos na sitwasyon ng ating bansa. For now, trabaho muna,” he added.

(For now, I’m straightforward…it can be dealt with, or we can give time to tackle it when the situation in our country gets better. For now, we need to create jobs.)

The Philippines has long struggled with the contractualization of workers, and among the 2016 campaign promises of the country’s incumbent leader, President Rodrigo Duterte, was to stop it.

Duterte has yet to fulfill this promise following his decision to veto the Security of Tenure bill in 2019 amid a strong lobby by business groups, citing its potentially adverse impact on the Philippine economy and employment.

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