Malacañang shared that President Rodrigo Duterte is still committed to ending “abusive” workplace arrangements in the country, on Thursday, following Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s critique of his supposed failure to stop unfair contractualization practices. 

In a press statement, acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar relayed that the President vetoed the 2019 Security of Tenure Bill due to certain unsuitable provisions.

“[President Duterte] explained that the version submitted by Congress unduly broadens the scope and definition of prohibited labor-only contracting, effectively proscribing forms of contractualization that are not particularly unfavorable to employees involved,’” Andanar said.

Per Andanar, the president is expecting Congress to create a new proposal with more beneficial provisions for both labor and business sectors.

“The President hopes that Congress would rectify the vetoed provisions as he remains committed to eradicating all forms of abusive employment practices and protecting the workers’ right to security of tenure,” he said.

Andanar noted that despite Duterte’s rejection of the Security of Tenure bill, the president signed Executive Order (EO) 51 in May 2018 which aimed to protect workers’ rights by terminating the “illegal” contracting and subcontracting arrangements between employers and their employees.

In July 2021, Malacañang repeated its call on Congress to pass the proposed Security of Tenure Act which remains to be a top priority in the executive branch. The measure seeks to amend the Labor Code of the Philippines to ensure relievers and seasonal employees enjoy the same benefits and protections as regular employees.

Photo Credit: Facebook/RodyDuterte