Vice President Leni Robredo said on Wednesday, March 2, she will certify the Security Tenure Bill that would stop the practice of labor contractualization, or “endo”, as urgent if she wins the presidency.
During the Catholic E-Forum on Radyo Veritas, Robredo stressed she will make a priority of her administration the passage of this measure.
“We will certify the Security of Tenure bill as urgent. This is long overdue," Robredo said in an interview aired over Radyo Veritas DZRV 846.
In July 2019, President Duterte vetoed the Security of Tenure Bill even after he certified it as urgent.
In a two-page veto message sent to Congress, the Chief Executive cited the “delicate balance” between employees and employers.
Duterte said it would be more detrimental to Filipino workers if businesses will refuse to invest in the Philippines because of the proposed law.
The Vice President cited her work experience with the labor sector will guide her in the “urgent” passage of the SOT bill into law.
“I was a labor lawyer. Matagal po ang aking (I have a long time) involvement kaya matagal din, malawak din 'yung ating (that’s why I have a wide) networks with many labor organizations and we have been working on policies na makakatulong (that are helpful). In fact, recently, nagkaroon po kami ng (we had a) signing ng (of) commitment sa (on) labor,” she said.
Likewise, the presidential aspirant added she will also push for amending the Labor Code to stop illegal labor contracting scheme.
“Because if you look at the issue of endo, contractualization, these are intertwined with the other provisions of the Labor Code,” Robredo noted.
“What is the difference between prohibiting subcontracting and allowable contracting? We have to institutionalize it,” she said.
The Vice President explained the passage of the Security of Tenure law is a vital step towards ending contractualization.
“Merong pinasa na version sa Congress na na-veto ni Presidente eh. Iyong version na 'yun, parehong hindi (Congress passed a version that was vetoed by the President. In that version. Both) 100 percent satisfied 'yung employers saka employees (employers and employees are not 100 percent satisfied), pero pinagkasunduan nila na (but they agreed it was an) important first step,” she said.