Leody De Guzman: Marcos knows nothing about labor relations

Photo Courtesy of Ka Leody De Guzman Facebook Page

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential candidate and labor leader Ka Leody De Guzman on Wednesday said Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is not aware of the concerns of the labor force after the latter claimed he would not end contractualization or “endo” (end of contract) for workers who perform seasonal jobs if elected.

“Pinatunayan ng statement na ito na walang alam si Marcos Junior sa mga usapin ng labor relations. Mayroong kategoryang “regular seasonal” sa Labor Code,” De Guzman said in a statement.

(This statement proved that Marcos Jr. knows nothing about labor relations matters. There is a “regular seasonal” category in the Labor Code.)

He pointed out that a worker who is employed for a period or season and is re-employed or rehired cannot be denied benefits as a regular employee.

“Muli nating inililinaw na ang ugat ng problema sa kontraktwalisasyon ay hindi lang ang “endo” kundi ang pag-iral ng mga third party work arrangements gaya ng manpower agencies, na ginagawang mura at maamo ang mga kontraktwal para sa mga principal employers,” De Guzman said.

(We are clarifying once again that the root of the problem of contractualization is not just “endo” but the existence of third-party work arrangements such as manpower agencies, which make contractual workers cheap and lenient for principal employers.)

De Guzman’s statement came after Marcos Jr. defended employers refusing to regularize workers saying some jobs are seasonal because it is not all year long.

“Meron naman talagang trabaho na seasonal na hindi naman buong taon, agriculture for example, very simple na example.. Meron talagang business kahit mga retailer, pasko napakarami ng customer, kailangan mong kumuha ng tao kahit na casual, pero pagkatapos ng season bibitawan mo rin, yun ang kailangan nating…. we have to adjust to reality,” said Marcos in an interview over One News last Monday.

(There are really jobs that are seasonal because it’s not all year round, agriculture, for example, a very simple example. There are businesses like a retailer, during Christmas that they really hire a lot, you need to get people even on a casual basis, but after the season you have to let them go, that’s what we need to…we have to adjust to reality.)

Marcos said that if elected, he will end contractualization or “endo” (end of contract) but not for “seasonal workers.”

READ: Bongbong Marcos vows to end ‘endo’ too

In 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the Security of Tenure Bill, stating that the goal of the administration has always been to address the abuse while allowing businesses to engage in policies that benefit both management and its employees.

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-Jericho Zafra /INQURER.net trainee

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