Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Malacañang Palace should drop its indecisive “wishy washy attitude” on the issue of contractualization, Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate of the Bayan Muna party-list said in a statement issued on Monday.
“Itigil na sana ng Malacañang ang ‘paasa’ mode nito sa mga manggagawa lalo pa at araw nila bukas,” Zarate said, referring to Labor Day.
[Malacañang should stop giving workers false hopes, especially since tomorrow is their day.]
“Malacañang should instead just sign the EO [executive order] drafted by the labor unions or deal with the consequences afterwards,” he added.
Zarate’s issued his statement after presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte might still sign an EO to end endo, or the “end of contract” hiring practice, where companies let go of workers before they complete six months of service.
READ: Duterte may still issue EO on ‘endo,’ says Palace
The progressive lawmaker also warned Palace officials that ignoring this just demand of workers would “trigger further political backlash” which could affect the “already plunging popularity” of the President.
Zarate also reiterated his call for the President to sign the EO drafted by labor unions and prioritize the proposed Security of Tenure for Non-Regular Employees in Government Act of 2018 (House Bill 7415), which he said would “truly eradicate endo,” not just in the private sector but also in the public sector as well.
Earlier, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who is now, now justice secretary, said Malacañang could not totally stop contractualization because it was allowed by law and it was up to Congress to change the Labor Code to ban the practice.
READ: Executive order can’t end contractualization – Palace
Zarate noted that Congress could totally ban contractualization by repealing Article 106 of the Labor Code. But he said “in the absence of a repealing law, the executive – Malacañang via the DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment] – can EXPRESSLY repeal Dept Order No. 174 that still legalizes job contractualization.”
READ: Zarate admits Congress needs to change law on contractualization
Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Villarin of the Akbayan party-list also reminded the President to fulfill his campaign promise of ending the “abusive practice of labor-only contracting.”
He also urged the Senate to pass the Security of Tenure Law, of which he is the principal author.
“Filipinos are getting tired of President Duterte’s all-bark-no-bite attitude,” Villarin said. “It’s time for him to decide which side he’s on: The few rich businessmen who grew richer under his term or the millions of toiling workers to whom he owes the presidency.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Ariel Casilao of the Anakpawis party-list lauded the decision of various organizations to unite for a joint Labor Day protest on Tuesday, May 1.
“Anakpawis hails the decision of various labor organizations to unite for joint May 1 protest, this will totally expose the government’s failure to address the plight of workers and further strengthen the campaign not only against contractualization, as well as the demand for a P750 national minimum wage,” he said. /atm