MANILA – Security of tenure will make workers stay in the Philippines instead of seeking employment abroad, according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Hontiveros is pushing for the passage of the Security of Tenure Bill, which she believes can be an “integral part” of a comprehensive alternative to the labor export policy.
The bill seeks to protect workers against “unscrupulous” contractors and subcontracting and strengthen the security of tenure of employees.
Hontiveros’ call came in light of the government’s urging of Filipino workers in Kuwait to return to the Philippines.
“If the government wants our overseas Filipino workers to return home and end the Filipino diaspora, let us ensure that they will return to a country where regular and decent jobs are plentiful, where women workers are treated with the highest respect and where their health is the primary concern of the state,” she said.
The measure also aims to help close gender employment gap.
Women in several ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, tend to have a bigger share of vulnerable employment than men, according to the International Labor Organization, Hontiveros said.
“Filipino women have a lower labor participation rate compared to men, and those fortunate enough to be employed are more exposed to vulnerable employment like contractual jobs,” said the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Women.
“Bukod sa mas mahirap makakuha ng disenteng trabaho ang mga kababaihan, kung makahanap man ng pagkakakitaan, ito ay mga trabahong kontraktuwal,” she said.
In addition, labor contractualization – colloquially known as “endo,” short for “end of contract” – poses risks to public health, Hontiveros said.
“Contractual workers are more vulnerable to health risks than regular workers as contractualization is a scheme meant to avoid paying workers the social and health benefits that regular employees are entitled to,” she said.
“Thus, contractual workers are forced to endure precarious working conditions and pay for their own health expenses when they get sick or injured at work,” she added.
The House of Representatives has passed on final reading House Bill 6908, or “An Act Strengthening the Security of Tenure of Workers.” The Senate counterpart is pending at the committee level./PN
