LABOR groups are already nearing a consensus on the issue of contractualization just as the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) was on the heels of the Labor Summit the latter organized last Monday.
In separate interviews, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) both said the labor sector is one in rejecting contractualization.
“All participants in the workshop proposed a variety of ways to ban it totally but all agreed that is must be illegalized and violators must be punished criminally,” said TUCP Spokesman Alan Tanjusay.
“The labor movement from different ideological and political persuasions were able to unite on key positions regarding contractualization,” said FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet.
However, the labor groups said they remain to have varying proposals on how it could be done by the Dole as sought by the government.
Last Monday, the Dole organized a one-day Labor Summit, wherein almost 400 members of different labor groups participated.
According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, they are hopeful that the labor sector will finally be able to come out with a unified stand on contractualization, much like their management counterparts.
“We want to know the alternative they can offer to the ‘Win Win Solution’ of the management sector. We want to know the position of the entire labor sector,” Bello said.
Under the “Win Win Solution,” the principal or the company will be allowed to outsource workers from service providers, which will then hire the workers as regulars.
Majority of the labor sector has already rejected the “Win Win Solution” of the management side.
Bello admitted that they do not expect their forthcoming policy on contractualization would be unanimously accepted by both the labor and management sides.
In consulting both sectors, the labor chief said they are merely hoping to get the approval of the majority.
“The important thing is we must have consensus. We do not need unanimity on this matter. What we need is consensus on how we will address the issue to the satisfaction of both management and labor sector,” said Bello. (HDT/Sunnex)