Is the President having second thoughts about ending ‘endo’?

The meeting between President Duterte and labor groups will not push through today – an event earlier anticipated to be highlighted by

the signing of an Executive Order ending contractualization in employment or the practice known as “endo” in the country.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod said they were informed by the Office of the President that the scheduled meeting will not push through.

“We were informed by the OP through the Bureau of Labor Relations that the meeting of the President with labor groups tomorrow will not be pushing through,” he said.

Asked for the reason given for the cancellation, Maglunsod said no reason was given.

Earlier, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III expressed hope that the proposed Executive Order on contractualization will be signed during the meeting.

Labor coalition NAGKAISA said the cancelation could be a sign that Duterte is now having second thoughts in signing the labor sector’s draft EO.

“The postponement may indicate that President Duterte is thinking twice of supporting the labor-drafted EO,” Nagkaisa Spokesman Rene Magtubo said.

“Maybe the Office of the President cannot decide on what EO — the DTI or the labor drafted — to be signed. One thing is definite for us in Nagkaisa: we won’t attend a signing of an EO if our draft won’t be the subject of the signing,” he added.

For his part, Kilusang Mayo Uno Chairman Elmer Labog said this latest development showed that Duterte is not serious in passing an EO that will more or less forbid contractualization in at least the so-called necessary and desirable areas of work.