Gov't guilty of contractualization, too - NHA workers | ABS-CBN
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Gov't guilty of contractualization, too - NHA workers
Gov't guilty of contractualization, too - NHA workers
Pia Gutierrez,
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 28, 2016 05:28 PM PHT
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MANILA - Workers of the National Housing Authority (NHA) on Wednesday urged the Duterte administration to look into the practice of labor contractualization, which remains rampant not just in private firms, but government agencies as well.
MANILA - Workers of the National Housing Authority (NHA) on Wednesday urged the Duterte administration to look into the practice of labor contractualization, which remains rampant not just in private firms, but government agencies as well.
The NHA Consolidated Union of Employees, in a rally outside their office in Quezon City, noted that the NHA has 1,200 contractual workers and only 800 regular employees.
The NHA Consolidated Union of Employees, in a rally outside their office in Quezon City, noted that the NHA has 1,200 contractual workers and only 800 regular employees.
Among the agency's contractual workers is Rosemarie Maglimas, an emergency hire who has been working as an Estate Management Assistant for almost 13 years.
Among the agency's contractual workers is Rosemarie Maglimas, an emergency hire who has been working as an Estate Management Assistant for almost 13 years.
Maglimas lamented that she has yet to receive the benefits that regular workers enjoy, despite the years of service she has rendered to the government.
Maglimas lamented that she has yet to receive the benefits that regular workers enjoy, despite the years of service she has rendered to the government.
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"Mayroon kaming contracts na pinirmahan na nagsabi na 'no employer-employee relationship.' Anumang mangyari sa amin, wala kaming matatanggap na benepisyo. No work, no pay din kami," Maglimas said.
"Mayroon kaming contracts na pinirmahan na nagsabi na 'no employer-employee relationship.' Anumang mangyari sa amin, wala kaming matatanggap na benepisyo. No work, no pay din kami," Maglimas said.
[We signed contracts stating 'no employer-employee relationship.' Whatever happens to us, we will not receive any benefits. The 'no work, no pay' rule also applies to us.]
[We signed contracts stating 'no employer-employee relationship.' Whatever happens to us, we will not receive any benefits. The 'no work, no pay' rule also applies to us.]
Aristotle Miranda, a contractual Data Encoder for five years now, said he hopes that a pending rationalization plan for the agency would be approved so that he can have a chance at regularization.
Aristotle Miranda, a contractual Data Encoder for five years now, said he hopes that a pending rationalization plan for the agency would be approved so that he can have a chance at regularization.
"Ang tunay na meaning ng emergency hire 'yung kapag kailangan na kailangan. Pero parang na-e-extend na nang na-e-extend po kami," he added. "Sana ngayong Pasko pasayahin din kaming mga emergency hire, kasi may mga pamilya din kaming umaasa sa amin."
"Ang tunay na meaning ng emergency hire 'yung kapag kailangan na kailangan. Pero parang na-e-extend na nang na-e-extend po kami," he added. "Sana ngayong Pasko pasayahin din kaming mga emergency hire, kasi may mga pamilya din kaming umaasa sa amin."
[Emergency hiring means there there is an immediate need. But we have been extended (as emergency hires) again and again. I hope we could have something to be happy about this Christmas, because we have families who also rely on us.]
[Emergency hiring means there there is an immediate need. But we have been extended (as emergency hires) again and again. I hope we could have something to be happy about this Christmas, because we have families who also rely on us.]
Rosalinda Nartates, president of the NHA workers' union, also pointed our that the issue of contractualization is not only confined to the NHA.
Rosalinda Nartates, president of the NHA workers' union, also pointed our that the issue of contractualization is not only confined to the NHA.
Citing Civil Service Commission (CSC) data, she said roughly half of the 1.4 million total government workers are contractual employees.
Citing Civil Service Commission (CSC) data, she said roughly half of the 1.4 million total government workers are contractual employees.
Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, who attended a briefing at the NHA, agreed it is high time for the government to address the issue.
Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, who attended a briefing at the NHA, agreed it is high time for the government to address the issue.
Taguiwalo recently took measures to address the situation of about 25,000 of contractual workers within her department.
Taguiwalo recently took measures to address the situation of about 25,000 of contractual workers within her department.
"Ayaw naman natin na 'yung gobyerno mismo ang taga-violate ng sarili n'yang batas. Sa akin ang ginawa ko immediately ay pinatignan ko ang plantilla items, ilan ang filled ilan ang unfilled. Tapos sa unfilled na plantilla items punuan na natin sa existing na contractual," Taguiwalo said.
"Ayaw naman natin na 'yung gobyerno mismo ang taga-violate ng sarili n'yang batas. Sa akin ang ginawa ko immediately ay pinatignan ko ang plantilla items, ilan ang filled ilan ang unfilled. Tapos sa unfilled na plantilla items punuan na natin sa existing na contractual," Taguiwalo said.
[We don't want government to violate its own laws. On my part, I immediately ordered a review of plantilla items, how many are filled, how many are unfilled. We filled the vacant plantilla items with existing contractual employees.]
[We don't want government to violate its own laws. On my part, I immediately ordered a review of plantilla items, how many are filled, how many are unfilled. We filled the vacant plantilla items with existing contractual employees.]
The secretary explained that since unfilled plantilla positions only number about 200, she has already asked Congress for additional plantilla items.
The secretary explained that since unfilled plantilla positions only number about 200, she has already asked Congress for additional plantilla items.
"Bumuo rin kami ng task force ng unyon at management para mapag-usapan ano ang tulong na mabibigay sa kanila habang hindi pa sila nareregular," Taguiwalo added.
"Bumuo rin kami ng task force ng unyon at management para mapag-usapan ano ang tulong na mabibigay sa kanila habang hindi pa sila nareregular," Taguiwalo added.
[We have also formed a task force of the union and management so we could talk about the help we could give them while they are not yet regularized]
[We have also formed a task force of the union and management so we could talk about the help we could give them while they are not yet regularized]
"Ito ay usapin talaga ng social justice. Ang solution ay pag-assert ng mga kawani sa karapatan nila at yun naman ang pagiging bukas ng gobyerno."
"Ito ay usapin talaga ng social justice. Ang solution ay pag-assert ng mga kawani sa karapatan nila at yun naman ang pagiging bukas ng gobyerno."
[This is really an issue of a social justice. The solution is for employees to assert their rights and for the government to be open ]
[This is really an issue of a social justice. The solution is for employees to assert their rights and for the government to be open ]
The Senate Committee on Labor on Tuesday said it is set to study the situation with the CSC in the next scheduled hearing on contractualization.
The Senate Committee on Labor on Tuesday said it is set to study the situation with the CSC in the next scheduled hearing on contractualization.
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