MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Department of Labor and Employment said that the government will help affected workers who will be displaced as the result of the implementation of the Department Order 174, which set stricter guidelines for contractualization.
According to Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say, the government has allotted a budget of temporary assistance for displaced workers this year.
“We will be ready para tumulong ng at least three months para sa mga maaapektuhan na mga empleyado,” said Say.
Say said that the government wants to help those who will be affected by providing training for workers to retool and upgrade their skills.
“Tutulungan namin silang ma-retool at ma-train ng ibang skills kung saan mayroong demand,” he added.
Say also added that those who will undergo training will also receive an allowance during training that will last for three months.
“We understand na may pangangailangan ang kanilang mga pamilya. Kaya we are prepared to spend at least three months para sa kanilang allowance habang nasa training sila,” the official said.
On March 16, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed a new order that sets stricter guidelines for contractualization. However, labor groups expressed dismay regarding this new DOLE order saying this was a “license to kill jobs and trample on workers’ rights.”
The new order imposes a total ban on labor-only contracting, strictly regulates lawful contractual arrangements, and stops the so called “end of contract” or “endo” scheme.