Bong Go vows to push for a balanced 'anti-endo' bill to boost employer-employee welfare (Sabong News)

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has vowed to pursue a measure that would end the practice of short-term employment in the country, but one that would balance the needs of the employees and the employers. Go pointed out that President Duterte was forced to veto the proposed anti-contractualization law in 2019 due to its broadened scope and meaning of illegal “labor-only” contracting, which effectively prohibited legitimate forms of contractualization that are not particularly harmful to the employees. According to Go, the veto was a result of careful consideration and evaluation conducted by relevant government agencies. He said he is willing to file and support a similar bill that would rectify the concerns of the Executive Department. The senator pointed out the measure is also one of the priorities of the Duterte administration. “Hindi pa naman po ako part ng Senado (I wasn’t still part of the Senate) during that time so I’m willing to file, to push for its enactment po sa (in the) next Congress tutal ito naman po ay isa sa mga priority ni Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang SONA (since this is one of the priorities of the President in his State of the Nation Address),” said Go. But he pointed out that the President issued Executive Order No. 51, which prohibits contracting or subcontracting if it violates a worker’s right to security of tenure, collective bargaining, self-organization, and peaceful coordinated activities, among others. He sai EO 51, signed by President Duterte in May 1, 2018, aims to protect the workers right to security of tenure. Go said it is imperative for the government to balance the interests of all stakeholders in considering such measures. “Ayaw naman natin matigil po ang negosyo dahil wala na pong magbibigay ng trabaho sa maliliit na trabahante (We do not want for businesses to stop just because they can’t afford to give jobs),” he added. If another “anti-endo” bill is filed in the next Congress, Go said he hopes it will ensure the security of employment of all Filipino workers.