THE Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) is pushing to end contractualization in both private sector and government employment of the Cordilleras.
Courage president Ferdie Gaite said if President Rodrigo Duterte is true to his words, contractualization should also end in government.
“Kung talagang ang stand mo ay against contractualization, yung mga contractual during first 100 days ni Digong ay dapat ma-extend until such time that they will be permanent,” Gaite told Sun.Star Baguio.
Although Gaite does not have the present number of contractual employees in the region, he was certain there are a lot of contractual and job orders in many government agencies.
“Wala kaming breakdown kung gaano kadami ang contractual employees dito sa region, yan ang blind spot namin and we will get the list, but we are certain that there are a lot of contractual employees and job orders sa government,” Gaite said.
Gaite added the government maybe the biggest employer but it does not necessarily mean that they are the best employer.
"Mayroon kasing mga na-hire dahil sa patronage politics, they are hired based not what you know but who you know. Ang kampanya naman natin is essentially para sa mga nagseserve na may sapat na kakayanan at qualifications na matagal nang nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno," Gaite said.
Meanwhile, in the private sector, Gaite remains positive President Duterte will be true to his word.
"During the campaign period may pronouncement na siya to end contractualization then nag hamon siya sa mga private establishments na kung di nila kayang itigil ang endo ay magsara na sila, that’s evidence enough to trust him," Gaite said.
"Dito natin matetest si Pangulong Duterte at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno kung paano ba isusulong ang konsepto ng social justice at concept of regular employment," Gaite added.
Presently, the labor code allows establishments to contract non-core functions which include janitors, messengers and security guards.
However, Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera still receives informal complaints against private companies in region hiring contractual employees for their core functions. (Danica Guieb)