By Ben Rosario
HB 4802 stays.
But Jose Singson is unfazed by criticisms. In fact, he said HB 4802 started to draw support as a swift but lasting fix to the much-criticized but legal “endo or end of contract” manner of hiring personnel.
Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Jose Singson (Photo courtesy of FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Singson flatly rejected calls from oppositors to withdraw the bill.
“Definitely not. Some may accept this as a middleground that will lay to rest the endo controversy but a closer look at its provisions will show its true pro-labor color,” explained Singson.
Earlier, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Duterte agrees with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in striking down the proposal that could be subjected to abuse by employers.
Singson says he understands the misgivings aired against the bill but pointed out that HB 4802 is replete with provisions that would thwart any attempts to manipulate it.
“This bill will protect workers from being fired every six months and give them a better chance to prove their worth as regular employees,” explained Singson.
Workers, too will have a longer period of specializing in positions they occupy. On the other hand, employers will benefit more from better trained workers, Singson added.
Progressive lawmakers led by Reps. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Partylist); France Castro (ACT Teachers Partylist) and Ferdinand Gaite (Bayan Muna) said the bill runs counter to the constitutional provision providing for job security.
Gaite said instead of pushing for a longer probationary period, Congress should act immediately in passing the security of tenure bill that would put an end to the practice of “endo” or the firing of workers before they could reach six months in the job.