MANILA – The Senate approved on third and final reading the measure which sought to strengthen workers’ security of tenure and prohibit the practice of “endo” or “end of contract.”
In a 15-0 voting on Wednesday, the upper chamber of Congress passed Senate Bill 1826, also known as the “Security of Tenure and End of Endo Act of 2018.”
Once the bill is passed, employees will be directly hired by companies and not through labor-only contracting agencies. Should employees remain under the supervision of these agencies, the company will have to absorb them or regularize them.
It said all employees, except those under probationary, are deemed regular, including project and seasonal employees. The services of any employee cannot be terminated without just or authorized cause.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, chairman of the committee on labor, employment and human resources development, said the passage of the bill was a welcome development to the Filipino workers.
“We longed for this day to come, especially our workers who have suffered because of the evils of endo, a practice which corrupts the dignity of labor,” Villanueva said.
“We want to give all workers peace of mind when it comes to their employment status, that no worker can be dismissed without just or authorized cause, and due process,” he added.
“We listened to the concerns of various stakeholders, and took these into account in putting together this bill. We believe this measure protects the interests of all parties concerned,” he said.
Villanueva was confident the bill will hurdle the bicameral conference committee since the measure was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this year. /PN
