Workers, management groups doubt Duterte ban on illegal contracting

Kilusang Mayo Uno calls to end contractualization during the protest. FAYE ORELLANA / INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

BACOLOD CITY — The executive order (EO) that banned illegal contracting or subcontracting was met with skepticism by both the labor and management in Negros Occidental.

“We are very thankful if it is true that it was a gift on Labor Day but we want to see what the EO contains, and if it is indeed beneficial to workers,” said Fr. Chris Gonzales, convenor of the Church People-Workers Solidarity and head of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod.

“We do not know what is in the executive order so, so long as it does not go against existing labor laws, we will comply,” said Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He pointed out that under existing laws labor contracting is allowed for certain jobs.

“We have to get a copy so that we will know the spirit and substance of the provisions, it is a welcome development but GAWA takes it with reservations,” Wennie Sancho, General Alliance of Workers Association, said.

“We will investigate first what kind of EO he signed. He may have signed the EO endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry and not the one recommended by their group,” Priscilla Goco, secretary-general of Partido Manggagawa-Negros, said.

She said the new EO may just be a rehash of EO 174 recommended by the Department of Trade and Industry.

“There has long been a law against contractualization so the EO is no different. Until we receive papers that state companies allowing labor contracting will be penalized for a criminal offense, we will not believe this will be good for the workers,” Michael de la Concepcion, Bayan Negros secretary general, said.

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