PLDT loses appeal on regularization of 7,000 workers

by ABS-CBN News, May 03 2018

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment said Thursday it denied PLDT Inc’s appeal to reverse its decision that ordered the company to grant regular status to 7,306 workers.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III upheld the department’s January 10 order, which also ordered PLDT to pay the workers P51.6 million in benefits, the DOLE said.

The DOLE said the appeal of PLDT and 35 of its contractors were denied for lack of merit. The appeals of 4 other contractors were granted, it said.

In July, the labor department ordered PLDT to regularize close to 9,000 employees.

President Rodrigo Duterte this week issued an executive order to stop “endo” or the hiring of workers in 5-month-long cycles to avoid granting them regular status that is due on the sixth month of employment.