THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is anticipating the passing of Senate Bill 1826 or the Security of Tenure and End of Endo Bill, and welcomes it.
In a statement, the CCCI said member companies are urged to continue their commitment to the government’s advocacy, “Angat Lahat.”
“We enjoin our member companies to ensure the well-being of their employees, as well as generate their shared commitment to productivity and meritocracy,” it said.
CCCI also stressed its support for the provision of the bill categorizing employees into four types: regular, probationary, project and seasonal.
“While the bill guarantees security of tenure for employees by preventing labor-only contracting, we welcome the provision to classify workers into the four types,” the chamber said.
However, the CCCI said it is concerned about the condition of businesses that are currently undergoing disruptions in the changing economic landscape.
“The concern has always been about survival, competitiveness, influx of foreign players, importation, increasing taxes, higher cost of doing business, plus bureaucratic regulations that impede growth and sustainability. There is no guarantee for business owners to survive,” the chamber stated.
“The appetite to go into business might be dampened if we do not take into account the concerns of enterprises that have yet to hurdle their birth and growth pains, and adjust to business disruptions amid these regulations,” it added.
The Filipino-Cebuano Business Club (FilCeb), for its part, said it also welcomed the bill but raised concerns on the sustainability of businesses.
“Yes, it guarantees security of tenure. But what about the security of businesses to survive?” Rey Calooy, president of FilCeb, pointed out to SunStar Cebu.
Calooy said there is a possibility that the bill would push companies to invest in automation than actual human resources to save its profits and sustain its business.
The bill, which will be transmitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature, has a provision that project and seasonal workers will have the same rights as regular employees.
Benefits will include the payment of minimum wage and social protection.
“At least machines will not ask for 13th month pay. This bill would also open up employment from other Asian nationalities but the question is, can the company afford their services?” Calooy said. (JOB)