Philippine workers march in protest at short-term contracts

Filipino protesters burn an effigy of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during a protest to mark Labour Day in Manila. Francis R Malasig / EPA

Thousands of Philippine workers and activists marched in a May Day rally in Manila on Tuesday in protest against what they said was President Rodrigo Duterte's failure to keep a campaign promise to get rid of short-term employment contracts.

There were no report of violence but the presidential palace complex was locked down, initially denying journalists' access as protesters burnt Mr Duterte's effigy with a sign "Liar King" several hundred metres outside.

A pledge to act against employers who hire workers short-term and without adequate benefits helped Mr Duterte, a former city mayor, win the presidency in May 2016.

Shortly after assuming power, Mr Duterte warned that any company that failed to stop hiring short-term labour risked closure.

But trade unions say the practice has persisted, particularly in shopping malls and the fast-food industry.

A leader of the left-wing Bayan (Nation) movement, Renato Reyes, said the president had done what other leaders had failed to do in 30 years — unite fragmented labour groups.

"The historic unity of the working class is the direct result of the failure of the regime to bring an end to contractualisation, a major campaign promise of the president," Mr Reyes said in a statement.

"For two years, the executive dribbled the ball, only to pass it to Congress at the last minute."

About 8,000 police and soldiers kept watch at the march. Police estimated up to 10,000 people, waving flags and carrying banners, took part.

In central Cebu, Mr Duterte asked Congress to pass a law amending the "outdated" Labour Code "to keep it attuned to the realities of our time".

"I remain firm in my commitment to put an end to 'Endo' and illegal contractualisation," Duterte said, referring to the commonly used acronym for "end of contract" among minimum wage earners.

"A mere executive order is not enough. I cannot be a legislator. It is not allowed. But, I can only implement."

He signed an executive order prohibiting illegal contracting or sub-contracting and asked the labour department to submit a list of companies "engaged in or suspected to be engaged in labour-only contraction".

There were also protests in other key cities outside the capital as workers' groups called for higher wages, improved working conditions, including for millions of migrant workers abroad. The Philippines is locked in a dispute with Kuwait over reports of abuse of Philippine domestic helpers there.

Last month, the labour department ordered fast-food chain Jollibee Foods to make more than 6,000 workers on short-term contracts permanent staff.