|
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Speak out: Hiring job order workers
By Katherine Libaton-Esmeraldo
Local chief executives often resort to the hiring of job order (JO) workers, sometimes referred to as the “pakyaw system,” to enhance their political clouts.
JO hiring is an act of gratitude conferred on children and relatives of political leaders and/or voters of a politico. There is no employer-employee relationship here and, technically speaking, JO workers are not considered government employees.
But they are hired to do specific jobs that the existing local government unit (LGU) personnel cannot adequately supply. This setup is susceptible to abuse and trigger painful consequences.
For one, it can drain the funds of the LGU. Second, it can breed discontent. Third, the practice often violates civil service laws and rules. And, in the case of the LGU in Barili, Cebu, it lowers the work ethics and values of townspeople.
Before 2001, hiring JO workers was not the practice in the municipality, except for urgent and much needed maintenance of hygiene and sanitation and some civil works. The number of JO workers increased since then, and they even perform office functions and often don’t have specific job assignments at all.
From 16 JO workers before 2001 to 86 in 2003 and to 115 presently---and the number is rising together with the salaries ranging from P120 to P165 per day.
Early last month, the budget for the Clean and Green Project, where the pay of JO workers were charged, was almost depleted and the LGU has to release early the third and fourth quarter appropriations to sustain the salaries.
Upon his assumption to office by virtue of succession, the local chief executive did not object to the practice of hiring JO workers.
During a general assembly of JO workers, it was announced that their number would be trimmed for lack of funding. A number of them were dismissed one day, only to end up being disillusioned because new recruits replaced them the next day.
This continued when the local chief executive declared that only those who passed the drug test would be re-hired. Two of his relatives were among those found positive. Oddly, the two remained while the others were dismissed. Then drug-testing policy was mysteriously stopped.
One can only imagine the budgetary strain the practice posed on the municipality and how favoritism could cause corruption and defile the morality in the workplace.
Making the matter worse is the hiring of JO workers, who are known relatives, and those over the age of 65.
Art any rate, the story is not exclusive to the LGU in Barili. But sill, the information is needed to remind us that the fight against corruption in government requires support from everybody.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 6, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
