A year ago, the Philippine government, under a new presidency, promised  to bring a stop to the unlawful state of hiring in the country called contractualization. Unfortunately, nothing fruitful has emerged from this promise even after a year of waiting. Even the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has admitted to their failure in ending this phenomenon. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2016, of the 4.472 million workers in Philippine establishments, almost 30% or 1.337 million workers are considered contractuals or non-regular employees. Every five months, these one million and more workers will be out of work and will have to find jobs again, and the cycle of employment-unemployment will keep on going unless they find a permanent job.

            The 555 or Endo (end-of-contract) is a labor contractualization practice that let employers hire employees on five-month contracts. This is done so that employers need not give their employees the benefits of regular employees (leave, 13th month pay) in the company during their sixth month of work. Under the Labor Code of the Philippines, Article 281, endo is translated as probationary employment stating no more than six months in an employee’s contract before he/she becomes a regular employee. It is unfortunate that companies take advantage of student workers and minimum wage earners for this unlawful employment scheme.

            Dozens of labor groups in the country have been pushing all of their efforts into letting their voice be heard in the eradication of improper company contractualization and employment in the Philippines. Rallies were held by the alliance of Manggagawang Sosyalista to convince the concerned parties in the issue. The Solidarity of Filipino Workers (BMP) are fearing for the stand of employment bodies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Many more rallies are being, and will be staged for the pressing of their decision and motion to stop Endo.

            This petition aims to join the stand to end labor contractualization in the Philippines and wish to have the decision-making process of DOLE and DTI in the issue to be resolved in the near future. We ask for your help for the betterment of the economic and trade state of the country. By joining our petition, we may be able to give permanent, stable jobs for the people of the country that need it the most, and stop companies from making illegal actions and victimizing employees. Be one with our voice.