Firms warned against defying DoLE’s security of tenure order

Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz warned contracting and subcontracting firms to comply with the new Department Order (DO) No. 18-A Series of 2011, which guaranteed rights of employees of contractors to security of tenure.

She said that the newly issued DO took effect on Dec. 5, where at least 250,000 contractual workers may be protected against unjust dismissal, except for a just and authorized cause.

“Aside from security of tenure, the workers are now entitled to Social Security System, Pag-IBIG and Philhealth benefits. Their right to self-organize or negotiate a collective bargaining agreement is also specified in the new order,” Baldoz said.

The new department order would provide better working conditions and protection for an estimated 250,000 contractual workers in more than 2,600 companies nationwide, she said.

The Labor chief said that security guards, janitors and construction workers are among the lowly workers exposed to abuses because many contracting and subcontracting firms do not follow labor laws, particularly in compensating their workers.

Baldoz also said that the new DO will address the clamor of the labor sector to clarify government policy on contractual employment so that they could be assured this will not be used to circumvent the compliance of employers to labor standards.

“Department Order 18-A series 2011 would provide clear rules on contracting and subcontracting, stopping the abuses against non-regular workers,” she said.

DO 18 will promote job generation, professionalize contracting and subcontracting arrangements, and weed out the fly-by-night contractors and subcontractors.

Under the new order, non-regular workers are now entitled to benefits provided under the Labor Code such as 13th month pay and overtime pay as well as retirement benefits.

She said companies that will not comply with the new order will have their license to operate be cancelled. –Mina Diaz, Daily Tribune