ECOP urges status quo on labor contracting, security of tenure

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) is pushing for the status quo as far as the implementation of Labor Code provisions on “Contractor or Subcontractor” and “Security of Tenure” are concerned.

ECOP Acting President Sergio OrtizLuis said preserving the status quo as covered by the Labor Code with respect to Article 106 to 109 (Contractor or Subcontractor) being implemented by DOLE Department Order (DO) 174 and Articles 297 to 299 (Security of Tenure) being implemented under DO 147-2015 will help sustain the current economic growth and make ongoing reforms more inclusive.

Moreover, Ortiz-Luis stated that the aforementioned provisions ensure the appropriate benefits, safeguards and policy environment for contract workers. “We reiterate our support towards ensuring that fundamental rights of workers are protected even as we are well aware of the employers’ rights to hire workers based on their qualifications and our needs,” he emphasized.

“Further, these terms allow mutuallybeneficial labor and market relationships where legitimate job contracting is used as a business model mainly to tap available expertise and meet surges in marker demand. On the other hand, workers are provided the statutory benefits and rights, as they also get opportunities to acquire additional and higher skills,” Ortiz-Luis pointed out. (BCM)