DOLE order regulating contracting, subcontracting, fulfills campaign promise of president: Palace

March 17, 2017

Malacanang said on Friday the Department of Labor and Employment's order imposing total ban on labor-only contracting is a "fulfillment" of the campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III Thursday signed Department Order 174, or the Rules Implementing Articles 106-109 of the Labor Code ending illegal contracting and "endo." "The Department Order 174 by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regulating the contracting and subcontracting of employees is a fulfillment of the campaign promise of the President," said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a statement. He said the labor department’s move was a major step in upholding and protecting the labor rights of the Filipino workers. "We commend all concerned parties for the tireless efforts they poured in to make this a reality.  The fruits of labor must be enjoyed justly and equitably, while business investments must be encouraged to grow and prosper so they can share with workers the reward for their toil," Abella said. He reiterated the Duterte administration is working very hard to promote "more humane conditions and fair and just treatment of workers in the work place." He said the Palace will make sure the order will be implemented. "We guarantee the proper implementation of this department order by our labor officials and expect the full cooperation from the employers," he added. Despite the DOLE order, militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno was not happy. “The signing of the DO 174 proves that President Duterte’s promise of ending contractualization is a mere lip service. Duterte only earned the ire of Filipino workers over his failed promises and continued implementation of anti-worker policies,” Jerome Adonis, KMU secretary general, said. The labor center claimed that the DO 174 is a mere rehash of existing guidelines on contractual employment and upholds the ‘win-win’ solution proposed by the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines which has already been rejected by Filipino workers. (Celerina Monte/DMS)