Labor: Endo cases down by 50%

By ACE JUNE RELL S. PEREZ, Sun Star, Jan. 16, 2017

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) reported that they have reduced end of contractualization (Endo)-related cases in the Philippines by 50 percent as of December 2016.

Dole Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Sunday, January 15, with their intensified campaign against unlawful contractual arrangements, around 41,000 employees were already regularized nationwide as of December 2016.

“We are glad that we were able to achieve our target last year,” Bello said at the sidelines of the Launching of the Philippine Chairmanship for Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2017 last Sunday at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City.

He vowed they will eliminate Endo-related cases by the end of this year. “By the end of 2017, Dole is committed to achieve zero cases for unlawful Endo,” he added. He clarified he is referring to those illegal contractual arrangements as there are also legitimate labor contracts like outsourced labor force and project based employments or those called “seasonal regulars.”

Bello also shared that on top of the 41,000 regularized employees last year, there are also 17,000 more employees regularized this year by a giant food chain company in the country. The labor and employment secretary refused to disclose the identity of the company as requested by the owner. Also, another big mall company is regularizing some 12,000 employees this year.

President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the performance of the Dole in championing the campaign against illegal labor contracts. “I have to give the credits to whom it is due, I have to congratulate Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, the fact that a huge number of Filipinos already regularized is something good sign for the country,” Duterte said last October 2016. Last October, Dole revealed over 7,000 workers are regularized in Mindanao, of which 3,500 workers are from Davao Region.

Dole Davao Regional Director Joffrey Suyao said the figure reflects the willingness of Dabawenyos to heed the President’s call to end illegal contractualization. Suyao added most are voluntarily regularized by the companies. Dole urged all the companies in the country to regularize their workers voluntarily and not wait for the agency to take action.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2017/01/16/labor-endo-cases-down-50-520486
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