Duterte asks for list of companies in labor-contracting

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City on April 9, 2018, announces that his attendance to the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2018 aims to advance the country’s cooperation with neighboring countries in the areas of economic investments and regional security. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

In a memorandum from the President, he ordered the Labor Department to submit a list of companies engaged in labor-only contracting, for a “Tokhang” versus cabo.

“The Department of Labor and Employment Secretary is hereby directed to submit to the Office of the President within thirty (30) days from issuance hereof, a comprehensive report on the implementation of DOLE Department Order NOs. 174 and 183 (s. 2017), including violations thereof, and a list of companies engage and/or suspected to be engaged in labor-only contracting,” the memorandum signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on April 17, Tuesday, read.

“Further, the National Labor Relations Commission is directed to coordinate with the DOLE Secretary and submit a list of cases involving respondents found to be engaged in labor-only contracting, and/or have committed violations of the above-stated Department Orders,” it added.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Jr. explained the memorandum to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III  further in a Palace press conference.

“Itong (These) 30 days na ito, it’s just for the list, it’s to tell them to comply otherwise sasara kayo ni Presidente (the President will shut your operations),” Roque said.

The spokesperson also referenced to the Oplan Tokhang of the police which sought to knock on residential homes and ask suspected drug users to surrender to the authorities. Similarly, the administration’s move to ask for the list is just the first step in its crackdown versus the companies engaged in labor-only contracting.

“Talagang magkakaroon ng tokhang sa mga kompanya, iisa-isahin sila. Tokhang laban sa cabo (There will really be a tokhang versus the companies, they will be dealt with one-by-one. Tokhang versus cabo),” Roque further said.

According to DOLE’s definition of terms in the labor code, cabo refers to a person or group of person or to a labor group which, under the guise of a labor organization, cooperative or any entity, supplies workers to an employer, with or without any monetary or other consideration, whether in the capacity of an agent of the employer as an ostensible independent contractor.

The Philippines’ labor code prohibits farming of work through a cabo.