DUTERTE VOWS TO PROTECT WORKERS

Over 45,000 contract workers given regular positions from July 2016 to March 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte paid tribute to millions of Filipinos workers all over the world and pledged to uphold their rights, as the country observed Labor Day yesterday.

“On this day, the International Workers’ Day, we pay tribute to the Filipino workers here and across the globe,” the President said in his message on Labor Day.

“Workers play a significant role in pushing for the rights to humane conditions at work, basic wages and organized acts, including collective bargaining and unionism. The government recognizes these basic rights of workers in all industries, and we are committed to protect and defend these rights,” he added.

Duterte said every Filipino, who contributes labor as part of his commitment to nation-building, “deserves nothing less than a share of the fruits of his hard work.”

He said that government is committed to creating more jobs in the country to accommodate a growing labor force.

“The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) takes the lead in ensuring that thousands of jobs will be created locally, in coordination with all other agencies, as we tap the skills and expertise of our own people,” he said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said over 200,000 jobs were offered at the simultaneous job and business fairs on Labor Day.

Bello said a total of 1,138 participating employers were looking for 201,811 local, overseas, and government jobs in the 52 Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) job and business fair sites.

While campaigning for the presidency during the May 2016 elections, Duterte vowed to protect the rights of laborers and vowed to end the so-called “endo” or the practice of “labor only” contracting.

The President’s promise to end contractualization is being fulfilled with government data showing 45,605 contract workers given regular positions from July 2016 to March 2017.

Last March 16, Dole issued Department Order 17 to further boost government efforts to stamp out illegal labor practices.

DO 17 reaffirmed the Duterte administration’s commitment to provide stable and secure jobs for the Filipino people.

The order bans such practices, schemes or employment arrangements designed to circumvent the right of workers to security of tenure.

Malacañang hailed the issuance of DO 174 “as a major step in upholding and protecting the labor rights of our great Filipino workers.” /

The government recognizes these basic rights of workers in all industries. PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE