Pimentel seeks ban on labor contractualization

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III recently filed a bill which seeks to stop the practices of labor contractualization in the country, which he says prevent workers to attain security of tenure.

The senator filed Senate Bill 3030 which amends Presidential Decree 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines. It seeks to strengthen the prohibition against labor-only contracting.

Pimentel cited the Constitution, pointing out that "the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force," and that "it shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare."

The senator also stressed that the Constitution mandates the rights of workers to security of tenure, human conditions of work and a living wage.

"These prevalent practices of labor contractualization have made it difficult for workers to attain the security of tenure guaranteed by the Constitution," Pimentel said.

He noted that some employers bypass labor laws to prevent workers from attaining regular employment and security of tenure.

Workers are terminated after every five months and are later on rehired for the same duration of time.

This practice denies the existence of employer-employee relationship by engaging the services of workers through cooperatives or manpower agencies.

Pimentel said that the proposed measure will "put an end to the malpractice that has victimized tens of thousands of workers nationwide."

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