EO banning labor contracting ready for Duterte’s signature — Bello

The proposed executive order that would ban labor contracting is just waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Thursday.

In an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, Bello said the proposed executive order has already been forwarded to Duterte, and that the President may sign the proposed executive order during an upcoming meeting with labor groups.

“Kahapon (Wednesday), nung nagkita kami ng Pangulo, binigay ko sa kanya ‘yung proposed Executive Order which was drafted by (organized) labor and agreed to by management (groups),” Bello said.

“Hinihintay namin ‘yun na lalagdaan ng Pangulo. I think he will do that on the occasion of the meeting of the President with labor groups,” he added.

The proposed executive order, Bello said, will not tackle “endo,” or “end of contract,” as this was already agreed on by labor and management groups as illegal. The executive order would rather focus on the issue of contractualization.

In prohibiting illegal contractual work, Bello said  a total ban on contractualization would not be feasible as there are job positions that are considered seasonal and or outsourced.

“‘Yung endo, ‘di na issue iyan. Tanggap ng labor, tanggap ng management, na endo is illegal, unlawful. ‘Yung tinatalakay namin, at may konting difference of position sa labor and management, ay ‘yung issue ng contractualization,” Bello said.

“Gusto ng labor, total prohibition. Ang sabi ng management (groups), hindi pwede iyan kasi mayroon talagang mga trabaho na outsourced,” he added.

Bello also said that the new executive order would protect the job security of workers as well as their rights to form associations and unions.

“Lahat ng benefits of regular employees will be assured by this executive order,” he said.    /muf