Tacloban hardware shop first to stop ‘endo’ in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PNA) –- A big hardware store in this city became the first company in Eastern Visayas to heed the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) directive to end contractualization.

The Tacloban Ultrasteel Corporation issued on Wednesday appointment papers to 54 workers, enforcing the workers’ right to security of tenure. Before President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement to end illegitimate contractualization or “endo”, the firm had regularized 50 of its employees.

“This is part of showing our support to the President’s policies. On the part of workers, they will have ownership. They feel that they are part of the business and partners in our growth,” said Maria Teresa Cua, Tacloban Ultrasteel Corp. chief operating officer.

The company, which started operation in 1996, has been considered as one of the largest providers of home building and construction materials, and the first do-it-yourself shop in this city.

One of the firm's employees, Maritalyn Bereño, 23, thanked their employer for ending “endo” since she doesn’t have to worry about looking for a job every six months.

“I am more capable of supporting my sister’s education now that I am a regular employee,” Bereño said.

DOLE Eastern Visayas information officer Virgilio Doroja urged other firms to follow the footsteps of Ultrasteel in ending contractualization.

“We are very happy to note that this is the first to implement the policy. Before the assessment, they already expressed intention to support policies of the Duterte administration,” Doroja told reporters.

The official said there is an ongoing assessment of business establishments to check how many workers are regular and contractual.

“In the coming months, we will have clear picture on the number of workers regularized. Recently, we asked employers to submit the list of workers who have been regularized and the DOLE will validate it through examination of documents,” Doroja added.

The labor department directed its department’s regional officer to double their efforts in the conduct of consultations and dialogues with workers and employers, including priority industries, where “endo” practice is most prevalent.

The priority industries include hotel and restaurant, manufacturing, health and wellness, malls, food chains, agricultural plantation, and corporate farms.

The national government targets the regularization of all workers in the private sector by the end of 2017. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO