PNR union execs urge Duterte to address contractualization in agency

Officials of the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) Union on Wednesday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to act on the plight of PNR’s contractual workers.

Earlier, PNR Union President Edgar Bilayon revealed that 1,400 PNR workers, consisting of train drivers and mechanics, are contractual.

READ: PNR union leader blasts contractualization of 1,400 railway workers

PNR Union Vice President Tony Laurena urged Duterte and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to address the problems of contractual workers, noting that PNR Management General Manager Junn Magno would not listen to their labor concerns.

“Sana mapakinggan nila ang aming hinaing, ang presidente at ang secretary ng DOTr [Department of Transportation] dahil si GM Magno, ayaw makipag-usap sa amin kahit anong gawin namin,” Laurena told reporters at Cafe Adriatico in Malate, Manila.

Laurena also explained that they conduct protests for almost 19 to 20 days to call out Magno on their concerns.

“Naka-ilang rally na kami. Siguro mga nakaka-19 o 20 days. Every Wednesday, minsan araw araw, mga 12 to 1 p.m.,” he said.

Bilayon also asked Duterte to look into the labor practices in PNR to prove the “change” under the Duterte administration.

“Panawagan namin kay Pangulong Duterte, kung talagang totoo ang kanyang panawagang pagbabago o change na kanyang sinasabi ay pakitingnan po ninyo ang nangyayari sa PNR,” Bilayon said.

‘No hope’

Bilayon also criticized Magno for not ending the contractual practices for more than half of PNR’s workers even after having constant communications on their complaint.

“After a year nag-uusap kaming dalawa [Magno] para i-relay yung [problema sa] manggagawa. Sa tingin namin walang pag-asa sa kanya,” he said.

Bilayon also reminded Magno of his duty as general manager to ensure the welfare of his workers.

“Hindi lang siya ang general manager ng railways. General manager siya pati ng mga empleyado. Mandate niya, obligation niya yun na tingnan yung mga empleyado, yung welfare ng empleyado. Kung hindi mo inaasikaso yung mga empleyado e bat ka pa nandiyan ano ang maaasahan namin?” he said. /jpv