The BWI is appalled at Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte’s failure to fulfil his promise to Filipino workers to end all forms of contractualisation. At yesterday’s labour dialogue in Malacañang the President again refused to sign a draft Executive Order, asking for a further period of time to consider. “We are dismayed at Duterte’s indecisiveness to make true on his promise to end the abusive practice of contractualisation or dodgy contracts,” said BWI Regional Representative Apolinar Tolentino.
“On the campaign trail he promised to solve drug trafficking and contractualisation within six months. After 13,000 deaths in a ‘war on drugs’ that has victimised poor communities, the declaration of martial law, allowing former Dictator to be buried in the National Heroes Cemetery and attempting to change the constitution, he is clearly tending towards the behaviour of a despotic and tyrannical regime.”
Duterte’s decision to delay comes after his own request in May 2017 following the Labour Day dialogue. Prior agreements had been made with the Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III to ensure the Executive Order yesterday.
Unions in the Philippines are vowing to continue their struggle to ensure Filipino workers enjoy regular and decent jobs. “We vow to hold bigger protests to put pressure on the Pressure to sign the Executive Order and end contractualisation”, said ALU-TUCP Policy Advocacy Officer Alan Tanjusay.