By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) yesterday criticized Malacañan Palace over its refusal to sign an executive order seeking to end labor contractualization.

In a statement forwarded by GAWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho to Watchmen Daily Journal, he said the reluctance by the palace to end job contractualization indicates the administration’s preference for capitalists and not the poor working class.

Sancho pointed out the palace’s refusal is an “outright rejection” of the 1987 Philippine Constitution labor protection clause, which provided for workers’ security of tenure.

He also noted, Malacañan is looking for Congress to amend the labor code; however, the Senate already stated they need an executive order to guide legislation.

“Contractualization is now a ‘hot potato’ that nobody wants to [take] responsibility [for],” Sancho said.

The GAWA leader also noted, if contractualization is passed to Congress, it would be a “disaster” for workers.

“Denying us of these rights is an abdication on the part of the government in its mandate that the state shall afford full protection to labor,” he added./DGB, WDJ

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