FILE PHOTO: Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (UNTV News)
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel believes that the passage of an anti-ENDO law will go through heated debate at the Senate plenary.
“It must be really that controversial na mahirap ipasa (that it’s difficult to pass), but we will still try kasi priority yan (because it’s a priority),” he said.
Pimentel added that some investors have expressed concern over the provisions of the new legislation and might opt to leave the country should the new labor policy gets tough.
“May the best argument win na. Depende na iyon kung ma-convince ang majority ng legislators, we will not have a law. Kapag hindi nila ma-convince then we will have a law, then umalis na lang sila, kung gusto nilang umalis,” says Pimentel.
(May the best argument win. It depends, if majority of legislators will be convinced, we will not have a law. If they will not be convinced, then we will have a law. If that happens, they can leave if they want to leave.)
The Senate President said they will consult Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on the issue to know what the labor sector really needs captured by law.
The Anti-ENDO Bill was submitted to the Senate in January pending deliberation in the plenary.
Currently, there are two versions of the law in the Senate.
Senator Joel Villanueva, in his version, emphasizes stricter labor policy. He seeks to simplify classification between a regular and under probation employee as well as equal treatment among project-based or seasonal employees with the regular ones. His version of the bill also bans the so-called “labor only” or “manpower contracting” practices.
The bill also imposes heavier penalties for employers who will violate its provisions. — Nel Maribojoc | UNTV News & Rescue
The post “ENDO” Bill to face intense debate in Senate – SP Pimentel appeared first on UNTV News.