540 Normin firms into labor contracting

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

SOME 540 companies in northern Mindanao are into labor-only contracting and their labor practices would be examined, said Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) director II for northern  Mindanao Atheneus Vasallo yesterday.

Vasallo said at least 21 firms in the region were found to have violated labor laws, and would likely be charged. Many of the firms, he said, were not paying their workers properly.

During the Regional Consultation on Contracting and Sub-contracting Agreement here, Vasallo said the government has continued looking into these practices, particularly labor-only contracting and sub-contracting, and would subject the 540 companies to investigations.

He said the companies include firms that run department stores, malls and agricultural  firms.

“Adto-an namo  kini  sila,  ug kon dunay ilang mga violation sa labor contracting, amo silang ipa-comply sa    mga requirement hangtud    mo-end ang ilang contract agreement,” he said.

Dole invited representatives of various companies to the consultation yesterday, and explained to them the Dole’s thrust under the Duterte administration. Officials said they would go strict against unfair labor practices.

But Vasallo said contractualization   would continue until they receive a copy of the revised guidelines from their superiors.

“By December, this year, dapat 50 percent sa tanang  ‘end of contract’ should be eliminated, and by 2017, dapat 100 percent na,” Vasallo said.