Cheap labor? SUCs can tap students to build, repair schools for measly P25/hour
A PROVISION on the proposed budget of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) for next year revealed that college students can be tapped as construction workers to build and repair school buildings and other facilities.
And they will only be paid for P25 per hour.
In Section 12 of the Special Provisions of the SUC budget provided in House Bill 6132 or the General Appropriations Bill, it was revealed that SUCs are “authorized to avail the voluntary services of their students in the construction or repair of buildings and the fabrication or repair of buildings and the fabrication or repair of equipment subject to the payment of P25 per hour but not to exceed four hours a day.”
Aside from construction and repair works, “student labor” can also be utilized in “academic, research, extension and administrative matters,” the provision further stated.
Voluntarily participating in the construction and administrative works will form part of the student’s vocational and practicum training subject.
In the plenary debate of the SUC budget last October 2, Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon slammed the insertion of the provision, saying that it is reminiscent of the forced labor imposed on Filipinos during the Spanish occupation.
“Mr. Speaker, distinguished sponsor, this representation simply cannot accept this provision! Akala po natin wala nang polo y servicios dahil panahon pa ‘yun ng Espanyol, pero ano ito, may probisyong hinahayaang gawing construction worker ang mga estudyante kapalit ang barat na P25 na sahod,” Ridon said.
SUC budget sponsor Rep. Mariano Piamonte defended the existence of the provision, citing its voluntary nature and that it will only be implemented during the student’s practicum subject.
Ridon vowed to remove such provision during the period of amendments of HB 6132.
If approved, the said policy will be implemented in 114 SUCs nationwide.
Meanwhile, College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) said that instead of nurturing the students’ academic capabilities, the government seems bent on taking advantage of “cheap labor” provided by the students.
“Imbes na linangin ng pamahalaan ang lakas at talino ng ating mga iskolar ng bayan, tila aalipinin pa ang ating kabataan. Bukod sa hinuhuthutan na ang mga estudyante ng pagkamahal-mahal na mga bayarin, narito pa’t nais pagsamantalahan ang kanilang lakas-paggawa,” CEGP President Marc Lino Abila said.
