The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed its full support to the consolidation and passage into law of two Senate bills which seek to address the issue on workers' contractualization "not only to protect the laborers' rights but also to ensure that businesses will thrive."
"The need to end the cycle of intermittent contractual jobs is long overdue. All Filipino workers deserve to be afforded security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage, while being able to organize and engage in peaceful concerted activities in accordance with law," the CHR said in a statement.
It stressed: "The CHR believes that everyone must be resolute in ending unfair labor practices that exploit the poor and vulnerable workers who cling to their jobs out of poverty and desperation."
Supported fully by the CHR are Senate Bills (SBs) Nos. 130 and 398 on Security of Tenure and End to Endo Act.
Endo or "end of contract is the term used for contractualization of workers in the Philippines." It is described as "the employment of a worker on project-based or fixed-term basis most often not exceeding six months."
SBs 130 and 398, authored by Senators Joel Villanueva and Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, respectively, seek to address the issue of contractualization in the Philippines. The CHR said both bills took into consideration the perspectives of the worker and the employer through rigorous and comprehensive consultations, then came up with a solution that would be beneficial for both parties.
"Such efforts to propose better measures that endeavor to address the concerns of sectors involved as well as ensure its relevance to current context and evolving times manifest genuine dedication to provide sustainable solutions to the labor sector," the CHR said.
It pointed out that even the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has endorsed SB 130, since the amendments made will simplify the "interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of the prohibition on labor only contracting and curb practices that circumvent the prohibition."
It noted that one important feature of the bill is the inclusion of industry tripartite councils, which will determine jobs that are directly related to the principal business. The said amendment will allow both the labor sector and employers to present their concerns and come to a mutual agreement, it said.
At the same time, the CHR said that SC 130 will give laborers the opportunity to voice their concerns as to why certain jobs are on contract basis. For their part, employers will then present the realities of business operations as well as the rapidly changing technologies that may affect the nature of jobs, it said.
It also said that SB 398 also has a similar provision which requires the recommendation of the National Tripartite Industrial Council to ensure that the conditions of legitimate contracting are met.
"The Commission is hopeful that the cited bills will be consolidated to merge their best features and provisions toward upholding the workers' rights while also ensuring that businesses will continue to thrive," the CHR said.
With these two bills being consolidated, the CHR said that these labor issues will finally be addressed and Filipino workers and their employers will be able to enjoy inclusive growth despite future challenges.