THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Tuesday appealed to all labor groups to finally come out with a unified position on how to resolve the issue of contractualization ahead of their meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement, Dole Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod called on all labor groups to consolidate their positions and recommendations on contractualization.
“The ball is now in the hands of organized labor. You have to prepare only one position so that the President will know that the labor groups are united and one in their recommendation,” said Maglunsod.
The Dole Undersecretary for Labor Relations said they will have their final opportunity when they meet among themselves on Wednesday.
Aside from the primary issue of contractualization, Maglunsod said labor groups also intend to discuss with the President the closure of the 23 mining companies; national minimum wage; representation of labor groups in tripartite bodies; and the ratification of ILO Convention 151 or the Labor Relations (Public Service) Convention.
But ahead of the meeting, some of the labor groups have already hinted at not budging on their position to see an end to all forms of contractualization.
In separate statements, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Partido Manggagawa (PM) stressed that anything less than ending all forms of contractualization would be unacceptable.
“The dialogue will be both an opportunity for labor groups and the President to exchange views on the issue of contractualization in which the latter promise to end. The dialogue won't be fruitful if the President backtracks on his promise,” said PM Chairman Renato Magtubo.
“The dialogue is a significant event as it will give us the opportunity to remind the President about his campaign promise. All forms of contractualization should be junked,” said KMU Chairman Elmer Labog.
On February 27, labor groups are set to meet Duterte in Malacañang in a bid to break the deadlock on the issue of contractualization.
This was after the series of consultations separately held by Dole with employers and labor sectors had resulted to a draft DO, wherein the government will continue allowing some forms of contractualization work arrangements, but would totally prohibit subcontracting. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)