“Endo”or “5-5-5” is a work arrangement whereby workers are hired for only about five months without security of tenure and lack of, or inadequate monetary, non-monetary and social protection benefits.

On the other hand, labor-only contracting, which is another illegitimate form of contracting, is a work arrangement where the contractor or subcontractor merely recruits, supplies or places workers to perform jobs, work or services for a principal.

Drafted during the DOLE Consultation Workshop on Ending “Endo” at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City, the action plan includes joint assessments/compliance visits, cancellation/denial of application and certificates of registration, engagement with stakeholders, enhancement of the labor law compliance system database, assistance to affected workers, development of a communication plan and capacity building of concerned DOLE personnel.

On August 23, the DOLE-RO I started the joint assessment of 12 principals and 12 contractors in construction, auto/aircon repair and refrigeration to determine their compliance with laws governing contractualization.

“The results of the assessments initially conducted give us a positive outlook for our workers because they indicate that our principals and contractors in the region are complying with the laws on contractualization.  This means that most of our workers enjoy security of tenure and its accompanying rights,” DOLE-RO I OIC-Regional Director Honorina Baga said.

Alongside joint assessments, the DOLE-RO I is holding consultations with employers’ groups to enlighten them on “endo”or labor-only contracting and get their support to government efforts against the prohibited practice.

“We met with the Industry Tripartite Council on Education (ITC-Education) on August 18 and it will be followed by consultations with other ITCs such as construction, hotel and restaurant and the regional ITC,” OIC-RD Baga said.

To generate wider information dissemination and stronger support against “endo”, the DOLE-RO I is also engaging the quad-media through its communication program in its advocacy efforts.

The labor agency is committed to reducing “endo” or labor-only contracting by 50 percent at the end of 2016 and eliminating it by 2017. END/ Arly Sta. Ana-Valdez