(Eagle News)—–Several labor groups called for an end to contractualization on Labor Day.
The groups made the move following what they said was the government’s failure to address the issue even when it was one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promises.
On Labor Day, though, President Duterte signed an executive order strengthening the rights of workers to security of tenure, and putting an end to illegal contractualization, among others.
He said this was what he could legally do.
Senate President Koko Pimentel has said passing legislation to that effect would be their priority when Congress resumes on May 15.
“The historic unity of the working class is the direct result of the failure of the regime to bring an end to contractualization, a major campaign promise of the president,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan’s Renato Reyes said in a statement, accusing the executive of “dribbl(ing) the ball” for two years “only to pass it to Congress at the last minute.”
Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said there was “nothing new” in President Duterte’s signed EO.
“What the workers demanded is total prohibition of contractualization by virtue of direct hiring,” he said.
But President Duterte said he was committed to fulfilling his promise.
“I remain firm in my commitment to end ‘endo’ and illegal contractualization,” Duterte said in his Labor Day speech.