Ensuring the welfare and economic well-being of workers are essential to their dignity and the value of their work in line with the right to security of tenure and just employment. Gainful and secure employment is integral to workers performance and productivity, which helps keep a robust labor sector and contributes to greater national economic output in the long term.
The practice of “endo” or unlawful contractualization has long been exploited by many employers to shirk from their responsibilities to workers. Under this practice, the contract of workers are usually ended before they are deemed regular employees, which enable employers to skip out on paying benefits and to prevent unionization.
The proposed House Bill (HB) No. 2173 or the Security of Tenure Law filed by the Makabayan bloc aims to address this loophole through the provision of additional protection to laborers by prohibiting unfair labor contractualization and imposing stiffer penalties for unjust employee dismissals.
Laborers contribute to the growth and success of businesses and organizations but many continue to be deprived of just compensation and benefits of permanent employment. Through HB 2173, workers are afforded better work conditions, protection, and benefits that are crucial to their job security and overall welfare.
The decades-old issues that mire laborers into financial and job uncertainty necessitate urgent action, especially during this volatile economic period. At the same time, it is equally important to strike a healthy balance that will enable businesses to recover from the aftermath of the pandemic toward ensuring genuine inclusive growth that addresses the plight of all, particularly the most vulnerable.
In accordance with the social justice and welfare provisions of the Constitution, it is incumbent upon the government to uphold the interest of workers by creating an environment conducive to just, humane, and secure employment. We are hopeful that this re-filed bill will be finally enacted into law under the 19th Congress. ###