Protesters march for 4 days to confront Duterte on ‘endo’ promise

Militants protest the continued practice of contractualization. JHOANNA BALLARAN/INQUIRER.net

Workers from Southern Tagalog denounced President Rodrigo Duterte’s failed promise to put an end to contractualization.

Hours before the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Southern Tagalog (Bayan-ST) criticized Duterte for “doing nothing” on the practice.

“Laganap pa rin ang kontraktwalisasyon (The practice of contractualization is still widespread),” said Paul Carson, media liaison of Bayan-ST.

Activists marched for four days from Laguna to Manila to bring their demands to Duterte, just in time for the second State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Carson said that some 24,000 workers in the region are yet to be regularized by different companies as ordered by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

“Pero hindi pa rin napapatupad hanggang ngayon,” he said.

The spokesperson said that Dole Order 174, which issued guidelines on labor contracting, only “threatened” the jobs of the laborers.

“Pinapanagot nga nito ang mga agency pero mawawalan talaga ng accountability ang principal employer,” he added.

During the campaign, Duterte vowed to end contractualization, saying it “will kill Filipino skill.” IDL/rga