Poll workers want more bonuses

THE upcoming elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) may be imperiled by protesting workers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that called for additional Christmas bonuses.

While top officials are already gearing up for the polls, the rank-and-file employees of the Comelec do not share the same enthusiasm.

In an interview, Luala Pama, president of the Alliance of Comelec Employees in Service (Aces), said regular workers of the commission are “demoralized” since their bosses refuse to give additional bonuses amid successful May 10 polls.

“Nade-demoralize na po ang rank-and-file dito dahil nakakalimutan sila ng mga opisyal,” said Pama.

On Tuesday, some 30 black-garbed employees of Comelec held a picket outside Palacio del Gobernador Building in Intramuros, Manila to demand additional bonuses from the Comelec en banc.

The protest action came a day after Commissioner Rene Sarmiento called on the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System to convene early in order to give them enough time to prepare.

For his part, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez believed that the rank-and-file employees would still be able to fully comply with their mandates with or without the additional bonus.

“I think mapapagkatiwalaan naman ang ating mga Comelec employees na mahirap man o madali ang buhay ay magagampanan nila yung trabaho nila,” he said.

According to Pama, all they are asking is for the en banc to give them a portion of the reported P943 million savings from the bidding process in the two elections held this year.

She said they have been expecting the additional bonus since majority of the Comelec Commissioners agreed to provide additional Christmas incentives.

“We appeal to Chairman Jose Melo and the commissioners that the benefits and privileges traditionally given to Comelec employees for Christmas be given as soon as possible,” said Pama.

The Aces noted that they only received the 13th month pay, anniversary bonus, P2,000 rice subsidy, and the P10,000 performance enhancement incentives. (AMN/Sunnex)