Labor groups call for urgency to end contractualization

CEBU, Philippines - A federation of labor groups called on President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent House Bill No. 4444, which seeks to abolish and criminalize contractualization.

The federation, composed of labor groups Associated Labor Unions –  Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) and members of NAGKAISA coalition, said that contractualization as the new norm exacerbates the impoverished situation of the working poor who are mostly contractuals.

They added that contractuals are lowly-paid, do not receive health, housing and social security benefits and other company incentives, and are usually working in poor and hazardous environment.

"Contractuals are voiceless, powerless and defenseless. Contractual jobs offer no hope and no future. Contractualization is one of the most blatant injustices in our country. Contractuals are the “working poor” who despite being employed, are struggling day-to-day just to survive," said the group in its Position Paper, which will be submitted in today's public hearing by the House committee on labor on the proposed measures.

House Bill No. 4444 was principally authored by TUCP Representative Raymond Mendoza.

Meanwhile, Anakbayan, in a separate statement, called for the immediate junking of all laws legitimizing contractualization and demanded for its criminalization.

“With the signing of this new order legitimizing the persistence of various contractual employment schemes, it becomes clear that Duterte contrary to his campaign promise has no real intention to junk all forms of contractualization,” said Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo. (FREEMAN)