DOLE backs security of tenure bill passage

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday gave its full support for the passage of the Security of Tenure bill.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed DOLE offices to provide the technical assistance needed for the crafting and passage of the measure, which aims to amend the Labor Code provisions on labor-only contracting and other similar arrangements.

The bill is still awaiting Senate approval.

“This is among our priority legislative measures that have been certified as urgent by the President. We are optimistic that the Senate will pass it in due time,” Bello said.

If approved, the amendment will clearly define the nature of work and activities that may be contracted out, he added.

Bello pointed out that under the proposed law, all employees – except those still under probationary employment – are deemed regular, including project and seasonal employees.

In the case of project and seasonal employment, workers are called to work from time to time and temporarily laid-off during the completion of the project or off-season, but are in the work pool on leave with or without pay status in between projects or seasons.

DOLE aims to establish a transition support once the measure is passed. Among the measures it may implement is the three-month financial support that will be given to employees between jobs. During this time, the workers may be required to go through skills training or upgrading under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or any other accredited training institution.