Contractualization or hiring workers on a contractual basis has been a topic of debate and controversy in many countries, including the Philippines. The term “contractualization” refers to the practice of hiring employees on a short-term contract or project basis, rather than giving them a regular full-time job with benefits.
Many workers and labor rights advocates argue that contractualization is unfair, exploitative, and illegal. They argue that this practice deprives workers of job security, benefits, and the right to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.
However, the legality of contractualization depends on the labor laws and regulations of each country. In the Philippines, for example, contractualization is allowed under certain conditions, but there are also strict rules and regulations that employers must follow to ensure that they are not violating workers’ rights.
Under Philippine labor laws, employers are allowed to hire workers on a contractual basis for a fixed period of time or for specific projects, as long as the contracts do not exceed six months. Employers are also required to provide the same benefits and protections to contractual workers as they do to regular employees, such as social security, health insurance, and paid leave.
However, some employers have been accused of abusing the practice of contractualization by hiring workers for prolonged periods of time and denying them benefits and protections. This practice is commonly known as “Endo” or “End of Contract” and has been criticized for allowing employers to evade labor standards and exploit workers.
In response to these criticisms, the Philippine government has implemented various measures to regulate and control contractualization. One of the most significant is the “Security of Tenure” law, which seeks to prohibit employers from abusing the practice of contractualization and provides more comprehensive protection to workers.
In conclusion, it is not necessarily illegal to hire workers on a contractual basis, as long as employers abide by the labor laws and regulations of their country. However, the practice of contractualization needs to be closely monitored and regulated to ensure that workers are not being exploited or denied their rights. Employers should also be encouraged to create more stable, secure, and inclusive job opportunities for their workers that provide long-term benefits and opportunities for growth and development.