The Department of Labor and Employment yesterday rejected the proposed extension of the probationary period of workers from six months to two years.
“It will deny the workers’ right to security of tenure,” said Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
Bello said that the proposed two-year probationary period is a long period already and is against the government’s policy of “providing job security.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary for a worker to undergo a probationary period of two years for an employer to determine his qualification. Six months is enough,” said Bello.
“Delaying a worker’s assurance of permanent employment is no longer in keeping with the administration’s policy on security of tenure,” he added.
Probinsyano Ako party-list Rep. Jose Singson Jr. recently filed a bill that seeks to extend the worker’s probationary period from the current duration of six months to two years. The lawmaker cited that the current probationary period is not enough to determine a worker’s qualification for regular employment.
“The proposal might encourage illegal practice of contractualization, such as the practice of ‘endo,’ as employers can terminate the workers within two years, which limits a workers’ right to statutory benefits as a regular employee,” said Bello. (Analou de Vera)
