NEDA says Security of Tenure Bill still needs revisions

The Security of Tenure Bill — a measure seeking to end contractualization across the country — still needs tweaks to ensure fairness for both the business sector and the individuals they employ, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

"We gave our comments, we were asked to give comments... essentially just that there's a need for some quick adjustment in some of the provisions," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said at a press conference.

"We have to be sure that the law not only benefits workers but also employers," he told reporters at the NEDA headquarters in Pasig City.

He was referring to the Security of Tenure Bill which is now up for the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Speaking after his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Duterte said he has yet to make up his mind on the measure which is set to lapse into law by the end of the week.

The proposed measure would eliminate the subcontracting of labor and would limit job contracting to licensed and specialized services.

This would also classify workers into regular and probationary employees, treating project and seasonal employees as regular employees.

Pernia noted, however, that there needs to be a balance between the concerns of workers and business, as several business groups had urged Duterte to veto the bill as they claimed its enactment could lead to job losses and affect the economy.

"If investments are deterred, (businesses) shy away from investing, then it's not good for them, it's not good for the workers. There'll be less job opportunities," said Pernia.

"Our view is that the legislation should be something that will benefit not only the employers but also the workers... it'very hard to please everybody," he added.

The tweaks that need to be made, Pernia said, would be more on striking a balance to address concerns of both parties.

"It has to be fair between the workers and employers cause we want jobs to made available through investments," he explained.

"If the employer and the industrialists and the capitalist employers are going to shy away cause of something they don't like, then it's the workers who will suffer. We have a very high labor force growth and we really have to keep up with so many workers coming into stream," he added.

Pernia said the comments of NEDA on the proposed measure have been sent to Malacañang some two weeks ago, as requested by the Palace. — RSJ, GMA News