MARC Augustus Ginolan, 36, has been working for a small-town bakeshop in Minglanilla for five years on a contractual basis.
Recently, though, he became a regular employee following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement last year that he would ban the practice of “end of contract” arrangements or “endo” and illegal contractualization.
Under this unlawful work scheme, a worker’s contract ends before the sixth month, the period when an employer is required to grant tenure.
Ginolan said that aside from him, 20 of his fellow workers were also granted regular employment status.
He said that with the President recently signing an executive order banning illegal contractualization, he sees better days ahead for workers of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) like him.
“Nalipay ko kay dili na pareha sa una nga magtag-an tag-an pa mi kung i-renew ba mi o dili,” Ginolan said.
During his Cebu visit on Labor Day, President Duterte signed Executive Order 51, which aims to protect workers by ensuring their security of tenure and prohibiting unscrupulous labor practices such as illegal contracting and subcontracting.
But unlike Ginolan, some employees are still uncertain about their employment status.
Lina (not her real name), who works for an eatery in downtown Cebu City that employs 30 people, said she started working for her employer when she was 18.
Despite working at least eight hours a day, Lina, now 21, said her employer did not make her a regular employee.
“Nisaad man to siya namo nga i-regular mi niya. Gisugdan pa gane mi ug apply para SSS, Pagibig ug Philhealth ato pang last year. Wala na man hinoon gitagad,” Lina said.
But Lina settled for it as she relies on her job to support her parents in Negros Oriental. Since she didn’t finish high school, Lina’s job options are also limited.
“Wala man sad koy mabuhat kay wala man ko mahuman. Kung makatigum siguro ko, gusto ko muuli lang ko sa amo ug didto nalang manarbaho,” Lina said.
She hopes that President Duterte’s policies against illegal contractualization would benefit workers like her.
For small business owners like Artemio Montaño, it would be easier for them to comply with the EO than business owners who require more manpower.
Montaño, who owns a general milling store in Minglanilla, said that since he only employs 10 people, making them regular employees will not be much of a problem.
“Daghang mga dagkong negosyante ang muangal anang ENDO kay extra gasto na man gud na siya. Mubayad pa baya ka sa benefits sa imung empleyado. Kung gamay ra man gud ang gastohan, makalutaw pa ang imung negosyo,” Montaño added.