(Eagle News) –President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order stopping illegal contractualization, more popularly known as “endo,”including sub-contracting of workers, fulfilling a campaign promise to stop contractualization, and at the same time called on Congress to revise the existing Labor Code.
Speaking during Labor Day celebrations in Cebu City, Duterte said the E.O. he had signed was what he could do, but stressed that this was “not enough.”
“Well, I hope that with all that I can do legally, there could be an impact sa inyong reklamo non-security of tenure,” he said.
“I remain firm in my commitment to put an end to endo and illegal contractualization.”
“However I believe that in order to implement an effective and lasting solution to the problems brought about by contractualization, Congress needs to enact a law amending the Labor Code,” Duterte explained.
The President said that the existing Labor Code is “outdated,” and said Congress should “come up with a new Labor Code to keep it atuned to the reality of our times.”
He recommended for Congress to revise the existing Labor Code.
“I cannot be a legislator, it is not allowed,” he said as he explained that as President he can only implement laws.
Because there are existing laws already, “a mere executive order is not enough” in addressing the problem of workers on security of tenure, the President said.
Duterte said there should be a bill on security of tenure to “once and for all address the issue and provide long term solutions that will further strengthen the workers’ rights to security of tenure.”
He said that he “can only implement” laws, but “if there are things that need to be corrected, or things that have to be modified to suit the needs or the demand of time,” this is already Congress’ job.
“So you (Congress) have to amend or correct,” he said. “I recommend the entire revision (of the Labor Code) or revisit the previous laws.”