Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod sorrounded by protesters waiting outside DOLE Bldg. in Intramuros Manila on Thursday, August 9 as the hearing continues on regularization of PLDT ccontractual employees. Enrico Orola/PVI
Officials of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Incorporated, NutriAsia and union workers attended on Thursday the Senate hearing on contractualization.
Until now, there’s no assurance of re-employment for the 7,000 retrenched workers of PLDT who are insisting regularization based on DOLE’s decision.
The two companies blame the ambiguous provisions of the Labor Code as the underlying cause of issues on contractualization.
PLDT human resources head Menardo Jimenez, Jr. said, “In my interpretation of the law, which may need interpretation, we are allowed to outsource to call centers and business process outsource.”
However, the labor department reminded companies not to use the law’s ambiguity as an excuse to circumvent it.
“Huwag na po nating pagsamantalahin ang kakulungan sa batas,” said DOLE Usec. Joel Maglunsod.
Due to these issues, Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development chairman, Sen. Joel Villanueva said he will ask President Duterte to certify anti-endo bill as urgent.
“Klaro na merong pang-aabuso na nangyayari. Klaro na may problema tungkol sa ambiguedad ng ating mga patakaran , protocols,” said Villanueva.
Last Monday (August 6), the Anti-Endo Bill reached the Senate plenary discussions.
Under the provision, labor-only contracting is strictly prohibited with corresponding penalties.
There will also be a clear –cut classification of regular and probationary employees, and a measure that provides security of tenure to all kinds of workers. — Nel Maribojoc
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