Charges ahead for 3 Cebuanos on PDEA list; Davide cautions against second list

Ex-contractual employees who were given regular status with DOLE’s enforcement of Department Order 174 since March 2017

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) insisted it has enough evidence against three former barangay officials in Cebu who were among 207 the agency linked to illegal drugs. So why weren’t charges filed yet?

Two Cebuanos are among 126 lawmakers who co-authored House Bill 6908, which seeks to amend the Labor Code and to grant regular employees’ rights for all project or seasonal workers and relievers. (See related story on this page.)

While he supports EO 51, Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph also urged amendments that would make it easier for employers to terminate the services of employees who are poor performers.

He stressed, though, that “endo” does not promote high productivity and that illegal practices should be stopped.

“Endo” refers to the practice of cutting off a worker’s contract before six months, so that he or she will not become a regular employee. During the 2016 campaign, Duterte had promised to put a stop to it if elected.

“Competitiveness is not about cheap labor. It’s about high productivity,” said Joseph, who added that the country should promote fair labor practices.

Harmony

“But, hand in hand with the end of endo should be an improvement in laws that make the termination of poorly performing employees extremely difficult,” he said.

EO 51 is a step toward economic progress, said Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) vice-president Steven Yu, in a separate interview.

“A harmonious relationship between management and labor is a progressive step toward business prosperity and economic growth. We are committed to be partners with the government in nation-building,” said Yu.

Amendments overdue

He assured that MCCI will support the President’s policies on all forms of unlawful contractual labor.

During his visit, President Duterte also called on Congress to amend the “outdated” Labor Code.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Antonio Chiu said the chamber supports the EO because “it is consistent with the Labor Code passed by Congress.”

Chiu said “while it allows certain jobs to be contracted out, it also protects the rights of workers to just benefits and compensation plus security of tenure.”

“The rule of law should always prevail so that we could continue to attract foreign investments and create more jobs,” said Chiu.

EO 51 applies “to all parties, including cooperatives engaged in any contracting and subcontracting arrangements.” The labor department, through Department Order 174 issued in March 2017, has also tried to stop illegal forms of contractual work, but that order excluded construction firms, among others.

In his press conference, Governor Davide said it was urgent to amend Presidential Decree 442 or the Labor Code.

But EO 51, he added, is a good start as it will help government strictly enforce existing prohibitions in the Labor Code, such as labor-only contracting.