By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) reiterated its calls to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to end job contractualization, during Labor Day protests in major cities across the country, including Bacolod City.
In an e-mail sent by the group, they called Department Order 174, issued by DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello six weeks ago, a “rehashed and worse version of its predecessor.”
They demanded the order be revoked immediately, saying it only perpetuates the abusive practice of contractual employment.
The group also urged President Rodrigo Duterte to fire Bello and sign the draft executive order they submitted, which will prohibit all forms of contractualization.
BMP President Leody de Guzman stated disenchantment is inevitable if Duterte opts to simply follow the footsteps of past presidents, relying heavily on neo-liberal policies, such as contractualization.
Workers who voted for him will realize that he, too, is a stooge of the oligarchy, similar to his predecessor, former President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, she added.
“Duterte must get his act together soon,” De Guzman stressed. “Betraying the working class would mean its collective withdrawal of support from his administration.”/WDJ