Cebu airport workers slam loss of OT pay

Officers and employees of the Bureau of Quarantine in Cebu City have called on President Benigno Aquino to scrap the decision of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) suspending their overtime pay.

Amid the “silent protest” staged by customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), the Cebu employees have opposed the DOTC order, which they said will impact their finances.

Dr. Emmanuel C. Labella, medical officer V of the Bureau of Quarantine in Cebu, said he may no longer be able to send his son to medical school.

Another quarantine medical officer said he was in danger of losing his car with the suspension of their overtime pay.

The DOTC decision suspending the overtime pay of CIQ employees beginning August was made upon the request of the Board of Airline Representatives and the Airline Operators Council.

The immigration and quarantine officers said the overtime pay was justified since they worked beyond regular hours and even during holidays, storms and floods to serve arriving international passengers.

The airline executives, however, said the payment of overtime was no longer justifiable after government agencies turned to 24-hour work shifts at Naia.