Tulfo seeks ‘decent wages’ for gov’t workers earning below industry rate
FILE PHOTO Sen. Raffy Tulfo (Screengrab / Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Government workers earning below industry standards, such as street sweepers and traffic aides, should be given decent wages, Senator Raffy Tulfo said Monday.
Tulfo said that the government should comply with the labor standards which entitle employees to a minimum wage.
“Hanggang ngayon, marami pa ring empleyado sa gobyerno ang walang seguridad sa trabaho at sapat na sahod, kabilang na dito ang mga street sweepers at traffic aides sa iba’t ibang munisipalidad,” Tulfo said in a statement.
(Even now, many government employees do not have job security and sufficient salary, including street sweepers and traffic aides in different municipalities.)
“Sila marahil ang may pinakamahirap na trabaho — nakababad sa araw o di kaya ay nauulanan at nakakalanghap ng polusyon. May kalakip ding panganib ang trabaho nila pero ang kapalit ay maliit at di sapat na sweldo,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement(They toil beneath the sun’s heat and in the presence of harmful pollutants, making theirs among the most brutal occupations. For an inadequate wage, risks are inherent to their work every day.)
Article continues after this advertisementTulfo pointed out that under Local Budget Circular (LBC) No. 143, the salary of street sweepers and traffic aides depends on the income classification of local government units.
Under the LBC, street sweepers earn a maximum of P14,993 monthly to as low as P8,648. Meanwhile, traffic aides earn a maximum of P17,899 monthly to as low as P9,181.
“If the government is serious in protecting workers’ rights and fighting against unjust labor practices, it must start by ensuring that people working for the government are earning a decent salary,” Tulfo said.
“Marami pa rin sa street sweepers at traffic aides ang sumasahod below industry standard dahil nakasalalay pa din sa financial capacity ng bawat LGU ang sahod na matatanggap nila,” he added.
(Because their wage is still up to the financial capability of each LGU, many street sweepers and traffic aides continue to earn less than the industry standard.)
Tulfo said the government should be able to show the importance of following labor standards and leading by example.
“It is important to lead by example. Kung ang gobyerno ay hindi nagbibigay ng tamang pasahod sa mga empleyado, how can we expect private companies to comply to labor standards and properly compensate their employees?” Tulfo said.
(If the government is not giving the proper salary to our employees, how can we expect private companies to comply with labor standards and adequately compensate their employees?)
