‘Endo’ employers may face charges – DOLE exec

MANILA, Philippines – Employers engaging in the practice of contractualization or the so-called “endo” will have to pay the price, literally and figuratively.

Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod said workers who have been hired under the “endo” system may file cases against their employers before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

Under this system, workers are only allowed to work under a contract lasting less than six months to circumvent laws that require employers to regularize personnel who work for them for six consecutive months.

Maglunsod said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) had directed its attached agency, the NLRC, to fast-track cases related to contractualization.

DOLE regional offices have been ordered to inspect and close down establishments found employing “endo” workers.

“After their registrations have been cancelled, the next move is for regional offices to conduct negotiations for the regularization of the contractual workers,” he said.

“In the event the case cannot be resolved with negotiation, the worker can elevate the case to the NLRC,” he added.

Maglunsod said DOLE regional offices would zero in on 5,000 companies registered with the government as contractors and sub-contractors.