PRRD to Congress: Pass security of tenure bill

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally at the Kaamulan Park in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on April 13, 2019. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday appealed to Congress to consider passing legislative measures to benefit Filipino workers, especially on security of tenure and self-organization.

Duterte made this call as he pointed out that although the executive has taken strides to ban illegal contracting (endo) last year, it is unfortunate how the “plight” of workers remains the same.

“Despite this yearly observance, the plight of our workers, especially those who choose to leave their families so they may earn better compensation abroad, remains the same,” Duterte said in his Labor Day message.

“This is why my administration has implemented measures within its powers to afford full protection to labor and promote equal work opportunities for all,” he added.

On Labor Day last year, Duterte signed Executive Order 51 to ban the practice of endo (end of contract), a practice that violates the employees’ security of tenure.

He also certified as urgent the passage of the security of tenure bill, which will require contractors to strictly follow the provision in the Labor Code that provides that an employee working in the company for six months have to be deemed a regular employee.

The President hopes that Congress will follow suit by also passing bills to ensure that workers have the legal right to keep their jobs.

“I remain optimistic that one year since I issued Executive Order 51 implementing existing constitutional and statutory provisions against illegal contracting, my counterparts in Congress will consider passing much needed legislative measures that will fully protect our workers’ rights, especially to security of tenure and self-organization,” Duterte said.

Duterte, meanwhile, wished all Filipino workers a meaningful commemoration for their “valuable contributions” to the nation’s progress.

“Our nation’s strength has always depended on the hard work, grit, and perseverance of our labor force. Every year, we set aside this day to celebrate their valuable contributions not only in the struggle to provide a better life for our people, but in building the foundations of a more promising future for succeeding generations of Filipinos,” Duterte said.

“Today, we celebrate the working class not as a tool of employers and capitalists, but as an essential catalyst for our nation’s overall progress,” he said.

He said the observance of Labor Day should inspire all sectors to create an environment conducive to workers’ personal and professional growth and development.

Labor Day is declared as a regular holiday, where workers get full pay. They are entitled to receive double of their basic pay if they work on a regular holiday.