OP to probe unfair labor practices in TV networks

This, after President Rodrigo R. Duterte tasked Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go to look into these complaints and bring the issue up with Department of Labor (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Office of the President (OP) is set to investigate reported complaints of unfair labor practices in television (TV) networks involving employees who hold contractual and talent positions.

This, after President Rodrigo R. Duterte tasked Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go to look into these complaints and bring the issue up with Department of Labor (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Go, in a radio interview by Cesar Chavez over dzRH on May 18, bared Duterte’s plan after receiving various complaints from employees of a TV network about their unfair dismissal without receiving any benefit.

These employees reportedly applied for but were never given regularization.

“May lumapit po sa akin na nagbulong, alam ninyo po na… mayroon kasi itong—unfair labor practice kasi na nangyayari daw (There have been employees approaching me, telling me about these unfair labor practices taking place),” Go said.

“May mga networks tayo na mayroon silang mga contractual employees, may mga talents na hindi pa rin nare-regular; kahit na po iyong mga cameraman nila, staff na hindi mo maiwasan may lumapit sa atin (There are some networks who have contractual employees, talents, but have never received regularization; even their cameramen, their staff, have been approaching us),” he added.

Complaints of unfair labor practices being practiced by TV networks are not new. Some TV networks have reportedly been unfairly dismissing employees who have served their respective companies for years.

Go said his office received more complaints about unfair labor practices after Duterte signed Executive Order No. 51 which bans illegal contracting or subcontracting which strengthens employees’ security of tenure last May 1 (Labor Day).

Duterte has repeatedly vowed to end contractualization and give Filipinos a “decent and comfortable life.”

Go, meanwhile, assured that the government is also trying its best to address contractualization in the public sector including state-run TV networks.

Last February, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit have already issued a joint circular directing government agencies to review their structure and identify their much-needed manpower.

Under the circular, Roque said job order and contract of services workers would only be renewed until December 31, 2018.