Duterte may bare possible ‘gift’ to workers on Labor Day : Bello

FILE: President Rodrigo R. Duterte may have a “gift” for workers on Labor Day, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said. (SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte may have a “gift” for workers on Labor Day, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

“Because it is May 1 celebration, the President may do something or make a dramatic issuance,” Bello said during a media briefing on Thursday.

“We should expect something from the President, like a benefit package probably,” he added.

He, however, declined to disclose details of the Chief Executive’s “gift” as he is leaving it to the latter to make the announcement.

“Probably, the President will issue an order or Executive Order or directive,” Bello said.

On the other hand, the labor chief assured workers that the government is serious in stopping all illegal forms of contractualization in the country.

He noted that the government is committed to implement Department Order (DO) No. 174, which was issued to strictly regulate contractual work programs.

“I assured the labor sector and I am assuring them again that they can trust the department,” he said.

“We have been emphasizing this in our meeting with labor groups — that DO 174 can address the issue of unlawful contractualization,” Bello said.

DOLE recently issued orders to fast-food chains, Jollibee and Burger King, to regularize their workers, totaling to 7,186.

Bello said Duterte will no longer sign the executive order on contractualization, instead he will certify as a priority bill the proposed Security of Tenure Act in Congress.