Ang Pilipinas ang unang bansa sa Asya na nagratipika ng ILO Convention 190, na naglalayong protektahan ang mga manggagawa mula sa pang-aabuso at karahasan sa trabaho. Kinakampanya naman ng mga labor group ang agarang pagpapatupad ng C190 para sa proteksyon ng mga manggagawa, lalo na ng mga babaeng empleyado.
Ayon kay Dr. Annie Geron, co-convenor ng Women Workers United, malaki pa rin ang gender gap pagdating sa oportunidad at pagtrato sa mga empleyado. Marami pa rin ang nakararanas ng karahasan at mababang pasahod sa trabaho.
Ang kalagayan ng mga kababaihang empleyado sa bansa at iba pang labor issues, sasagutin ni Dr. Annie Geron sa The Mangahas Interviews.
Ayon kay Dr. Annie Geron, co-convenor ng Women Workers United, malaki pa rin ang gender gap pagdating sa oportunidad at pagtrato sa mga empleyado. Marami pa rin ang nakararanas ng karahasan at mababang pasahod sa trabaho.
Ang kalagayan ng mga kababaihang empleyado sa bansa at iba pang labor issues, sasagutin ni Dr. Annie Geron sa The Mangahas Interviews.
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NewsTranscript
00:00:00 [Music]
00:00:05 Good day to all of you. Today we will talk about a great civil servant, very hardworking, and her focus today is the issue of women who are employed but lack of benefits.
00:00:21 Our guest today is Dr. Annie Giron, President of the Public Services Labor Independent Confederation and co-convenor of Women Workers United.
00:00:34 Good day, Ms. Annie.
00:00:36 Good day, Ma'am Malu and to all who are watching your program. Thank you very much. It's an honor to have you as my idol.
00:00:48 Dr. Annie is a doctorate in public policy and management. She is a medical doctor.
00:00:56 She is also an employee. She has been a combiner for 30 years at TESDA, NMYC, National Manpower and Youth Council,
00:01:12 and she has become a whistleblower for textbooks that are overpriced at TESDA.
00:01:19 She has also received many awards and recognitions for her work as a Freedom of Information Advocate, Anti-Corruption Advocate, and Good Governance Advocate.
00:01:29 So Ms. Annie, please tell us, what is the situation? Why does the situation of women workers in the Philippines seem to be out of your imagination?
00:01:39 That's the problem. It's been a long time, but it's always in the minds of women.
00:01:49 The continuing situation of women is very concentrated. There are too many of them.
00:01:58 In the jobs that are not secure, the so-called precarious work, the salary is low and there are few opportunities to advance in their work.
00:02:13 There is no training. So the salary is low. That's the big problem.
00:02:21 There are many jobs and the salary is low. Of course, after work, when you go home, there are still many housework,
00:02:36 because of the so-called multiple roles of women.
00:02:41 So we are focusing on that, including the increasing number of harassment and harassment against women workers.
00:02:52 Okay. Ms. Annie, you are promoting an implementation immediately of the so-called International Labor Organization Convention 190. What is this?
00:03:06 This Convention 190 is the so-called Convention for the Elimination of Harassment and Violence in the World of Work.
00:03:17 This instrument was ratified by the government of the Philippines last December 11.
00:03:26 This gives a broader definition of what harassment is, what violence is, which includes economic violence, physical violence, psychological, emotional, and gender-based violence.
00:03:44 This Convention is not only targeting women workers in general, but also those who are not removed from work, trainees or apprentices.
00:03:59 The world of work is not just the traditional one, where we know that this is where I work, this is the world of my work.
00:04:10 This includes media, platforms, and the space where the employer can answer and respond,
00:04:24 where you can go to work and come home from work.
00:04:30 This includes other places where you have events, conferences, you are in the field, this is included.
00:04:38 This is the broad definition of the world of work.
00:04:43 Okay. Before we go to the implementation, I think you want to add something.
00:04:48 What should we avoid? The psychological violence that you said, in the report, almost 10 cases of harassment in the workplace are victims of women.
00:05:04 Can you explain what kind of exploitation, violence, or discrimination against women?
00:05:12 Yes. First of all, sexual harassment, making fun of women, not wanting to be touched,
00:05:22 making fun of women, showing texts, showing inappropriate pictures, this is included.
00:05:34 And then your being a woman is harassed because you need to leave, you cannot leave because the threat to you is that you will be replaced or your promotion will be affected.
00:05:50 Age is not a problem for adults but the age of a woman when it comes to work is higher.
00:06:01 This is also included in our list, when you are invited or you want to invite your male employer to assist you even if you don't want to and you know that you have a partner who can be a victim of harassment.
00:06:27 So those are the things we get and the bad thing is that most women are being selfish.
00:06:35 They are not reporting it, they are not taking responsibility because of the fear that they will lose their job or their current job will be affected.
00:06:47 But if you are going to report, who will report? Because sometimes that is the problem, you want to ask for help but it's not clear who will ask for help and who will listen to you.
00:06:59 Yes, for now, there are so-called mandatory workplaces in the government where you need to have a committee on decorum and investigation.
00:07:13 Aside from the grievance of the committee, the problem according to our studies is that there are committees but they don't work or don't take action, they don't function.
00:07:26 This is also a question of the capacity of those who sit there or sometimes the workers don't have the capacity to work in those committees.
00:07:35 So there are those things and when it comes to harassment, you need to be careful in handling and processing the cases.
00:07:49 There needs to be a confidentiality that is maintained while the case is being processed and dealt with.
00:07:57 It cannot be destroyed because sometimes the woman is the one who is being ashamed and blamed because she is the one who is guilty, she is the one who is not guilty.
00:08:11 You are the one who showed the motive, especially in sexual harassment.
00:08:21 Ms. Annie, the gender pay gap in salary, according to your studies, for every peso that men receive, agriculture or industry,
00:08:33 women receive 90 cents or the gap is still big in other sectors.
00:08:40 Please explain why this issue is still there. This issue has been around for a long time.
00:08:46 Yes, it has increased. In our studies, it was only 65 cents. For every peso, 65 cents.
00:08:55 Maybe it was updated. If we put it at 90, there is a gist that there is a gap.
00:09:02 Why is this happening? Because we still cannot break the view that the woman who works is just a supporter.
00:09:11 The breadwinner or the one who should earn is the man.
00:09:18 So it is not that the woman should not earn properly, it is just an addition to the income of the man.
00:09:26 There are also jobs that are considered as an extension of the natural activities of women, such as raising, cooking, or whatever.
00:09:39 We call that not giving the same value if it is being done by a male worker.
00:09:49 Because that stereotype is based on the long-standing cultural and patriarchal thinking that women are just a supporting role, an addition to the income of the man.
00:10:04 Okay. Now Ms. Annie, the Philippines is the first Asian country that gratified the ILO Convention 190.
00:10:12 The President of the BBM participated and there was an issuance that they will support.
00:10:18 But why is this implementation being stopped? You said that many agencies are not ready.
00:10:23 What should be done to implement?
00:10:26 We should not be the first to gratify. We have seen many regulations and laws that need to be aligned and compliant with the Convention.
00:10:42 For example, the definition, the traditional definition of "sinasakop" is the direct worker, not the trainee who lost their job.
00:10:53 The current regulations and laws need to be aligned with the Convention.
00:11:03 The agencies are not ready because they think that it is just a job of the Department of Labor.
00:11:11 It's not because there are many informal, formal, public, private, even migrant workers are included in this C190.
00:11:23 So the entire machinery of the government needs to be aligned with the spirit, principle, and intention of C190.
00:11:33 That's why we said that it seems that everything needs to be ready.
00:11:38 Everything is playing a compass according to its instrument or according to its mandate.
00:11:46 We haven't seen that yet. First of all, even for the workers, we need to explain that these are the rights and what needs to happen according to this Convention.
00:11:59 For the experienced workers, there are many laws, we have many good laws, but our deficit, our big deficit is the implementation.
00:12:12 It's good to know, but when it comes to implementation, we are really lacking. Why?
00:12:17 We are lacking people, we are lacking funds.
00:12:21 Let's go to the lack of people, for example, even in the Department of Labor, if you implement that, there are many establishments, the inspectors are just a few.
00:12:31 So those kinds of things, why do we call for the workers to sit down, the employer, even the employer, there are many adjustments that the employer will do.
00:12:46 Their policy, the organization of their workplace.
00:12:50 So that's what we're saying, it's done. We can't just deposit the instrument until ratification and then we're sitting pretty.
00:13:00 No, the real start is the implementation. That's what we're calling for.
00:13:06 So Ms. Annie, there needs to be a trigger, there needs to be a start.
00:13:10 Your group, Women Workers United, has a roadmap or a strategy paper to make sure that this will work even if it's been a few years, but at least the first steps are being done.
00:13:27 Yes, you're right. Women Workers United is the most extensive coalition of women workers.
00:13:39 And there is a so-called women agenda, and that is the action plan itself.
00:13:47 What is the priority and what should happen this month, this year, little by little.
00:13:54 So they have a roadmap, and we have the agenda and the action plan.
00:13:59 And yesterday, we started helping the Department of Labor to start the steps for the implementation of C190.
00:14:18 So first, what are the gaps, how will you adjust and align?
00:14:23 So there should be reformulation, revision of the measures starting from the Department of Labor.
00:14:31 The same goes for the Civil Service. We are also talking to the Civil Service and other government agencies.
00:14:40 We are also talking to the Philippine Commission of Women to move forward, to move forward according to our priorities that have been identified mutually.
00:14:56 The problem Ms. Anis is that there are laws that are good, but you said that the implementation is not yet done.
00:15:02 Or even like this ILO C190, funding might be the problem. Do you have an estimate of the funding obligation or gap?
00:15:13 In every sector, that is also being considered. But for example, in the public sector, I can say that an adjustment is needed.
00:15:26 It will not be less than P50 billion. In that whole bureaucracy, in all the programs to start this implementation.
00:15:38 Particularly the capacity, the giving of capacity, not only to government employees but also to labor partners to help each other.
00:15:55 So we will do a lot of training, awareness raising, a lot of materials that should be made and circulated.
00:16:06 And also look, at least in the Department of Education, you will also look at the books, the curriculum that is included now,
00:16:17 so you can see with the lens that C190 will use.
00:16:23 Ms. Anis, the ratification of C190, does the law of the Congress need to be amended to form the law that will be passed in the Philippines? Is that necessary?
00:16:38 First, we need to prioritize the existing law. We have expanded maternity leave, we have the Women's Card, we have the Safe Space Act,
00:16:48 we have the BAUSI, the so-called violence and harassment against women and children.
00:16:56 So we are just looking at the existing scanning and what is the way to cover the gap. So let's prioritize that.
00:17:05 If there is still a gap, we will look at the law. But for now, we see that it is a waste if the law that has been passed cannot be implemented properly.
00:17:20 It has a big impact. So let's prioritize the alignment and make the existing laws and policies compliant.
00:17:34 Speaking about Congress, there is a proposed wage increase. In the Senate, it has been passed 100 pesos per day.
00:17:43 So it means that our minimum wage will be in a month's time. If 24 working days, it will be 26, and 2,400 will be allocated.
00:17:55 Our House of Representatives has increased it to 350. Of course, our employers are still arguing. What is your opinion on this?
00:18:09 Is this the right way? Of course, the need, we are not debating the need.
00:18:18 But if we legislate this, what will happen to the regional wage boards? They say it's like a flood.
00:18:25 In our current situation, we have wage boards in every region. What is your opinion on this? 100 pesos, 350 pesos, is the minimum amount enough?
00:18:35 We are supporting a 150-pesos legislative increase. That is based on our studies. It is not an increase yet. We call that a wage recovery.
00:18:49 Because inflation has eaten up and it has been a long time since there was a legislative wage increase.
00:19:01 For us, it's a recovery. It's not a reality yet. And of course, we always hear a default response that it's inflationary, it will go away, the work will be removed.
00:19:12 But in reality, the productivity of labor is increasing. The salary is not moving.
00:19:20 That's why we say that the salary of the workers is increasing. So why do you keep on increasing the salary? That's one aspect.
00:19:34 Why do we want a legislative wage increase? Because in the wage board, you know that in every region, the minimum wage of agriculture and non-agricultural workers is different.
00:19:47 Is it really cheaper for the farm in that area? Is their crop cheaper? If you look at it, the other crops are more expensive in the cities in the region.
00:20:04 So we don't see that it's based on reality. It's based on the increase of the labor. The labor is always losing when it comes to the regional wage board.
00:20:19 That's why we want a national living minimum wage across the board.
00:20:25 So that the benefits of the workers are fair. You are already in the middle of a difficult life, you will be in a difficult life forever because your salary is also low because that's what the wage board says.
00:20:39 That's our issue with that. Why do we want that? The wage board should be broken if it's like that.
00:20:49 It's not feasible. If you look at it, even NEDA, we didn't invent this when NEDA DJ was there. Who said that?
00:21:01 42,000 to 42,000 is what the family of five needs to live properly. Now, the biggest is NCR, right? It's at 600+. In NCR, it's said that the salary of the workers should be 1,600+.
00:21:21 So the wage board is chasing too much. That's why, Ma'am Malu, you are 1,600 but now the situation of the workers is that you are just a few thousand and you are just earning a few times.
00:21:32 In your job, you have an 8-hour job and you still don't earn enough, that's why you are still looking for additional income to reach your salary until the next payday.
00:21:53 Okay, so let's divide it. In Metro Manila, it's 600 plus the minimum daily wage that is mandatory. But in other regions, what is the smallest? Where is it lowest?
00:22:06 In Mayan, it's already barred. It's only 250, there's still that. The agricultural is lower. It's just a little bit, but the non-agricultural is still higher.
00:22:24 All the workers are in that category. So it's not enough. We said that it's not a wage increase, we are just asking for a recovery in the Senate and Congress.
00:22:40 We don't want to tie it to the chacha because that's what's coming out. They are asking for the economic provision to be removed and we will increase.
00:22:56 We said that it's too far from your script, from the realities of life. There's another thing that's coming out. This is what I'm saying.
00:23:08 They are doing politics tied to the chacha. The two are having a contest. The House said that they want 150 to 350.
00:23:17 But we know that they are not serious. They are just using it to get rid of the chacha. Now, there's another one that's forming.
00:23:29 There was a wage hearing last week, but this March 13, there's a hearing in the House because they passed. They want three drops.
00:23:43 We said, "What do you feel about that? You won't feel that. It's not just a recovery."
00:23:52 So we don't want to drop it by three drops. That's a low-wage recovery.
00:23:59 Whatever the rate, 100 or 150, I hope it's 150. Even if there's a estimate of 750, we are realistic in our group.
00:24:13 We know that the estimates are higher than a month. We know that it won't be a big deal. The employer is always saying that.
00:24:31 We said that it's hard. We are talking and you are already closed. That's what you think. You are already contracting.
00:24:41 There's no opening of a dialogue to see the employees' opinions on why they are asking for 150, a legislated wage recovery.
00:24:53 If we tie it to chacha, because it's already been decided that it's an economic provision for the expansion,
00:25:00 in just three sectors, advertising, media and education. How will it affect the industrial and agricultural workers if we tie it to chacha?
00:25:09 Is that what you are asking for or what you are asking for from the Congress? Why tie it to chacha?
00:25:17 First of all, if you look at the first thing that the government should do is not the chacha change, not the amendment to the Constitution.
00:25:31 Why do you want to tie it to something that the people are not asking for?
00:25:38 The people want to get rid of poverty, unemployment, the end of wages, the attack on rights. That's corruption.
00:25:50 That's not what you should tie. Why? There are many laws, especially when you deceive the capital that entered.
00:26:04 There are some. Our worry is that you will deceive the whole Philippines.
00:26:14 We have nothing to do with our WTO and all our trade agreements that you didn't prepare the sector.
00:26:23 Look at agriculture. What happened to the rice certification? Is rice cheap?
00:26:28 Are we being asked if rice is 20 pesos per kilo? No.
00:26:32 20 pesos per kilo.
00:26:35 Like the ice candy that I was told, that's what you can do, 20 pesos.
00:26:41 What we are saying is that we are not worried that the remaining protection will be lost.
00:26:54 Even for small and medium-sized businesses, it will be a crowd out.
00:27:01 I don't believe that the impact on education, advertising, and other sectors will spiral.
00:27:12 That's just the beginning. That's why we said that the opening of the so-called economic provision that will be in the Philippines
00:27:28 is not taught the lesson of privatization, the lesson of liberalization.
00:27:35 We are not ready but what happened to our industries, our domestic industries that are dying?
00:27:45 That's what we fear will be affected because the foreign leaders, of course they have more heads
00:27:53 but they are not the ones who will take over those sectors, those industries.
00:27:59 If that's the case, because for us, education is a big and important service,
00:28:06 maybe what will happen is that whoever has money will be the one who will reach the so-called globally competitive and par level of education.
00:28:19 It's too far from the will of the Filipino people and the people of the country.
00:28:25 What they are learning now, and yesterday they already said that before the quaresma,
00:28:32 I think they will pass that projection because I'm there, I'm working in the Congress.
00:28:40 So the movement, they said it yesterday, after the second reading next week,
00:28:45 before the quaresma, the story is over.
00:28:49 But in the House, it looks like the Senate will end the vote.
00:28:52 The Senator said they are not in favor.
00:28:56 Yes, that's it. I hope that won't happen.
00:29:04 So I will just go back to why we don't want to tie that because the CHA-CHA is just a temporary agenda
00:29:12 and it will open a monopoly of the so-called economic provision, a monopoly of foreign countries.
00:29:23 So there's nothing wrong with that.
00:29:25 Why are you assembling patriotism and nationalism here in the US?
00:29:31 Especially with the things you invited against Starter Chains.
00:29:35 I said, if you will just bully your resource person against the CHA-CHA,
00:29:44 why did you invite them? You should have talked to them.
00:29:48 Instead of being shy, bullying and harassing the opposed.
00:29:55 But there's still discrimination, they can only bully those they are bullying.
00:29:59 But the ex-justices, even if they are against, they don't do that.
00:30:04 That's a long story but that's what we see.
00:30:07 They are talking about the wage because of the CHA-CHA.
00:30:13 But the educators from the academies are being bullied.
00:30:19 Do you have an organized consensus that our schools,
00:30:26 you are the one who teaches, what is the position of our schools?
00:30:32 There are many organizations, even the private associations of universities,
00:30:40 and the Philippines, the so-called PASOK, and the student councils,
00:30:48 all of them are opposing.
00:30:51 What I heard from the committee of the hall is that they are opposing.
00:30:56 They are opposing the possible ruling on the change,
00:31:03 especially in education, they said it's not necessary.
00:31:07 So there is a consensus there, but of course,
00:31:12 their imported resource persons, the former FACER Singapore,
00:31:17 they have a stronger voice there.
00:31:21 Ms. Annie, let's go back to labor.
00:31:24 You said that the ILO C190 should cover the apprentices,
00:31:31 trainees, those who lost their jobs.
00:31:34 Do you have an estimate of how many women will benefit
00:31:40 if this C190 is implemented?
00:31:45 As of now, 98% of the women will work in the informal sector.
00:31:56 When it comes to the public sector, more than half of the bureaucracy is women.
00:32:02 So you can see that our informal economy is very large.
00:32:07 So this is what we see that will benefit here,
00:32:11 in the food sector, in agriculture, there are many women.
00:32:17 We estimate that there are 15 million in the formal, informal, public, private sector.
00:32:25 The women will benefit from this.
00:32:30 We don't have an estimate for the apprentices and OJTs.
00:32:36 But of course, the migrant workers, 50% of them are women
00:32:46 who are in a situation where they are experiencing harassment and violence,
00:32:50 the domestic workers.
00:32:52 So this is what will benefit.
00:32:55 They said, how will the migrant benefit?
00:32:58 Of course, if we are negotiating the deployment of our migrant workers,
00:33:04 why would you say that you will only deploy them if you are sure that you will comply with C190?
00:33:11 Because the government has an obligation to implement this,
00:33:15 not only here in the Philippines, but also outside the Philippines,
00:33:20 where the migrant workers are being sent, especially the migrant workers.
00:33:25 And C190 was also included in the Occupational Health and Safety.
00:33:31 That became an issue.
00:33:34 And in the Philippines, we also have the OSH law, the Occupational Health and Safety.
00:33:39 So that will be a big thing when it is implemented because it will be mainstream.
00:33:44 Because you know, when it comes to safety, security at work,
00:33:49 there is really a policy even if there are companies.
00:33:53 It will be enhanced to see, for example, if you have a checklist,
00:33:57 when you are inspecting, you will have to add something according to the form defined by ILO C190.
00:34:06 It's like a protocol.
00:34:08 Ms. Annie, you have a study recently that our problem,
00:34:12 we are talking about OJT, contractual, and disemployment.
00:34:18 Your research recently is on the endo.
00:34:23 And in your research, the biggest endo employer is the government.
00:34:29 That's right.
00:34:30 What is the situation? How will the endo benefit the government?
00:34:36 There are so many. How many are they and where are they?
00:34:39 The so-called endo is the form of contractual.
00:34:47 Contractual has a job order, a contract of service,
00:34:53 and MOA employees who work in different branches of the government,
00:35:00 from national to local.
00:35:03 And that has a number of 860,000.
00:35:07 That's a lot.
00:35:08 More than that are in the local government.
00:35:11 What does this mean? Why is it so precarious?
00:35:16 Because this has no security of tenure.
00:35:19 Anytime they can be removed.
00:35:24 Because what they are saying here is that you have a specific job.
00:35:30 But the problem in the public sector, which is why we are worried,
00:35:33 is that these contractuals, the ones that are performed,
00:35:37 the ones that are done, are done by regular employees.
00:35:42 And I said, how will you enforce the law for the performance?
00:35:50 The one who is the violator and employer of the contractual is the government.
00:35:56 It's not covered by the GSIS.
00:36:00 That is the only salary that is covered.
00:36:03 That's all. They don't have social protection.
00:36:05 No health.
00:36:06 No such thing.
00:36:09 If you want to take care of that, you are the one who will pay.
00:36:15 You are the self-employed.
00:36:18 So I said, this is difficult in this situation.
00:36:23 Then we have 420,000 volunteers in the so-called barangay health workers.
00:36:37 So 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on call in the community,
00:36:43 those are volunteers.
00:36:45 The salary they receive is a salary that is paid on time.
00:36:51 It depends on their captain.
00:36:55 So you have free, it's like forced labor, volunteer.
00:37:02 But where do you find a full-time volunteer?
00:37:07 The true essence of volunteer is that you have a full-time job,
00:37:11 you have spare time and that's what you share with the community.
00:37:16 This is full-time volunteer and the sick ones are terminated by the barangay,
00:37:22 especially when there is a barangay election.
00:37:25 I terminate you as volunteer.
00:37:27 So what is the impact of this on the women?
00:37:30 That's what we're talking about here, mostly women.
00:37:34 You don't recognize, you don't give care to undervalued and unpaid workers.
00:37:45 That has an impact.
00:37:47 So in total, 860,000 in the government, 420,000 health workers,
00:37:54 and 1.3 million unpaid volunteers, almost.
00:38:00 It's like, I hope this C190 will be able to handle it.
00:38:04 Is that how it is?
00:38:06 Yes.
00:38:07 Volunteers, the category is difficult, or JT,
00:38:13 but we are trying to, because these are barangay health workers,
00:38:18 you categorize them as volunteers but they have defined workplaces,
00:38:24 they have a set of work to do and it's mandatory for the community.
00:38:29 So that's what we want, to be able to handle this C190.
00:38:34 Contractuals are being handled because it's stated there,
00:38:39 regardless of the arrangement or employment arrangement,
00:38:46 they have to be able to handle this C190.
00:38:49 Okay.
00:38:50 And it's in the labor code, they're performing critical services,
00:38:54 critical to the organization.
00:38:57 So if it's a health worker, it's critical to our barangay health workers,
00:39:02 the service they're giving, or the contractuals,
00:39:05 you said that they're working for the regular workers but they're contractual.
00:39:10 Essential and desirable, the labor code says,
00:39:14 essential and desirable, that is, and I said,
00:39:18 because you know the contractuals and job orders in the public sector,
00:39:24 it's been years, you're repeating it, the contract is being renewed,
00:39:29 it means they need to be qualified to handle that duty,
00:39:35 and that job itself needs to be essential, desirable, necessary
00:39:42 for the government agencies.
00:39:45 So there's no problem, because I said,
00:39:48 and they said that they're not government employees.
00:39:52 So I said, if they're not government employees,
00:39:54 then the labor code should be the one to rule them.
00:39:57 And in the labor code, you've been working for 6 months,
00:40:00 you should be a regular worker,
00:40:01 that's 10 years, 15 years, 20 years,
00:40:04 when the retirement age is reached, you're still contractual,
00:40:08 you're not government employees, you're not an employee.
00:40:13 So I know, it's just a joke.
00:40:15 But aren't they affected when the leaders of our local government units join together?
00:40:21 Because you said that there are many of them, some are in the LGU.
00:40:24 Is it because every 3 years of elections,
00:40:28 there's a separate cluster of people who want to hire our politicians?
00:40:34 That's one of the reasons for the change of leadership.
00:40:37 Sometimes, it's a payment,
00:40:39 the political leaders sometimes pay their debts.
00:40:43 Another big reason is what's called the personal services cap,
00:40:48 the ceiling imposed by the local government
00:40:53 in the 45-55.
00:40:58 You can only use 45% of the personnel,
00:41:03 and your MOE is 55%, the maintenance and other operating expenses.
00:41:09 So even if the local government needs people,
00:41:13 they cannot pass through the PS cap,
00:41:19 that's why they resort to contractuals.
00:41:22 For example, we understand that it's a bit tied,
00:41:26 that's why we joined the local government
00:41:28 when we were asked to amend the local government code for that.
00:41:31 That's when the so-called full devolution happened.
00:41:34 There was a full devolution in Mandanas,
00:41:38 because of the Supreme Court in Mandanas and Garcia RulĆn.
00:41:42 They said that they were lowering the number of services.
00:41:46 And within 3 years, after that, you will be in charge.
00:41:51 Hey, where will the LGU get the personnel
00:41:56 if you keep the PS cap?
00:42:00 They simply cannot absorb it.
00:42:03 Now, they are short of personnel.
00:42:05 After lowering the essential services,
00:42:09 no one is with them.
00:42:11 They will be disbanded because we clarified it in the defense.
00:42:15 I said, you should waive the PS.
00:42:18 The PS should be adjusted,
00:42:20 the local government should have the right number of employees
00:42:25 to fulfill your devolution,
00:42:27 and you should adjust the PS cap.
00:42:30 They are not forcing it to 45-55.
00:42:34 That's why LGUs are resulting in more contractuals
00:42:39 than the personnel in the plantilla.
00:42:43 On the other hand, there are a lot of vacancies,
00:42:46 unfilled positions in the government,
00:42:50 especially in the national agencies.
00:42:52 How is that? Why are we getting contractual service and job order?
00:42:58 And now, they are talking about rightsizing.
00:43:01 Yes.
00:43:02 What we are saying is,
00:43:07 there are a lot of vacancies in the Department of Health.
00:43:12 So we said, fill it up first.
00:43:15 Now, they are saying that there is no taker,
00:43:19 but that is not a hopeless situation.
00:43:23 In the DBM, you can reclassify those positions.
00:43:31 Either you make a high position,
00:43:34 or divide the high position into 3 or 4 lower positions.
00:43:40 You can adjust the compensation.
00:43:43 You have a possibility in the DBM.
00:43:48 That's why we said, if there is no taker,
00:43:51 either the compensation is not enough
00:43:55 to hire a lawyer or a doctor,
00:43:59 then adjust it.
00:44:01 Instead of having vacant positions,
00:44:05 which is very ironic that you have a lot of contractual positions
00:44:08 but a lot of vacant positions.
00:44:10 I'm saying, there is a budget for that.
00:44:13 Even if it's vacant, it's budgeted.
00:44:16 So, adjust it first.
00:44:18 And then look at the human resource requirement.
00:44:22 Have a planning for each agency.
00:44:25 So you can plan your mandate,
00:44:27 how many and what kind of vacancies you need.
00:44:30 And then look at what you have and what you don't have.
00:44:34 So that the planning is good.
00:44:37 Not that you will force us to do rightsizing.
00:44:41 What is your view on where is the fat?
00:44:49 Because they say our agencies are top-heavy.
00:44:53 Just now, there are continuous reports
00:44:56 that there are 10, 11 undersecretaries, assistant secretaries.
00:45:00 In each position, there are support service staff.
00:45:05 Diverse secretaries, etc.
00:45:08 You said it right.
00:45:11 The fat is not on the bottom, but on the top.
00:45:14 It's already top-heavy.
00:45:16 There are a lot of positions of USEC,
00:45:20 undersecretary, assistant secretary, and director.
00:45:24 And all of those have a complement of staff.
00:45:27 What we're saying is,
00:45:29 top-heavy, we are already mass-shaded in the women's department.
00:45:34 So we should not be fat.
00:45:36 The fat should be on the top.
00:45:39 Because in a high position, how many can you employ?
00:45:44 It's not the ones who work on the top.
00:45:49 The rank and file really works hard
00:45:52 to make it fit.
00:45:55 It's just a small number.
00:45:56 Why do you need so many?
00:45:58 You know that?
00:46:00 Photo op.
00:46:01 They are so fat.
00:46:04 Just to be clear,
00:46:07 your PS-Link group,
00:46:09 how many?
00:46:10 Because you can't have unions in the government.
00:46:13 But you have confederation.
00:46:15 What sectors?
00:46:17 We are also affected,
00:46:19 including the NAPOLCOM, the DPS, and the members.
00:46:22 Where are you located?
00:46:24 The PS-Link, and how many?
00:46:26 First of all, I want to correct that
00:46:28 the freedom to organize unions
00:46:32 is already restricted in the Constitution.
00:46:35 Then there's Executive Order 180.
00:46:38 This is the balance that we are following
00:46:43 to organize unions, associations,
00:46:46 whatever you call it.
00:46:47 But because of this, it's a union.
00:46:49 So the PS-Link is an umbrella organization
00:46:53 of associations, unions, rank and file,
00:46:58 from national government agencies,
00:47:01 state and local universities and colleges,
00:47:03 government-owned and controlled corporations,
00:47:05 local government units.
00:47:07 The PS-Link also organizes the barangay level.
00:47:11 So even if they are volunteers,
00:47:13 they organize it.
00:47:14 We also organize retirees
00:47:16 because it's a big issue for retirees,
00:47:18 especially government retirees
00:47:20 who have their pensions.
00:47:23 So you're right.
00:47:26 We have more than 400 chapters
00:47:29 throughout the Philippines.
00:47:31 We also have 115,000 members.
00:47:40 And many of our affiliates
00:47:44 have what we call collective agreements
00:47:47 at their workplace level.
00:47:51 And the PS-Link was the first
00:47:54 in the so-called national agreement
00:47:58 during the time of former President Cory Aquino in 1991.
00:48:01 We had our first national agreement
00:48:05 in the private sector, CBA.
00:48:08 That's why we had what we call
00:48:11 Salary Standardization I.
00:48:13 And now we're talking about VI.
00:48:15 That's where it all started.
00:48:17 The monetization of LEED started,
00:48:19 educational loans started.
00:48:22 That was after Gloria's time in 2004.
00:48:26 That was the second agreement.
00:48:29 That's why we were able to get back
00:48:33 the money we lost,
00:48:35 the money we got back,
00:48:37 and the per-dien of field workers
00:48:39 that we took,
00:48:41 uniform allowance, hazard pay.
00:48:43 These are the examples of the negotiations
00:48:46 that were led by PS-Link.
00:48:49 So that's what we do.
00:48:51 And now we have a consolidation.
00:48:53 The different federations
00:48:55 and confederations that are large
00:48:57 are united in what we call
00:48:59 National Public Workers Congress or PUBLIC.
00:49:03 So who is building that,
00:49:04 aside from PS-Link?
00:49:05 There is the KAMAGP,
00:49:07 the Board of Governors of Government,
00:49:10 the Government Corporation and Financing Institution,
00:49:13 there is PIPSEA,
00:49:15 the Philippine Independent Public Sector Employees Association,
00:49:19 the Karaga Area of LGUs,
00:49:21 and the SOC Sargen.
00:49:23 And recently,
00:49:24 the Alliance of Government Workers
00:49:28 in the Water Sector or AGWAS joined us.
00:49:31 So we are now the ones who are building
00:49:33 the largest part of the organized public sector.
00:49:38 Okay. So that means
00:49:40 you have a lot of potential power
00:49:43 to influence public policy.
00:49:45 So not just the benefits for workers
00:49:49 or the conditions of work,
00:49:51 but also the issues you are addressing.
00:49:54 And is the ILOC-190 included?
00:49:58 Of course, you know,
00:50:01 we were also known for fighting corruption.
00:50:06 So good governance.
00:50:08 The twist is that we are active in the Open Government Partnership,
00:50:12 OGP Philippines,
00:50:14 we are on the steering committee there.
00:50:16 And we are looking at how the agencies are directly engaged.
00:50:20 Aside from the principles of OGP,
00:50:26 transparency, citizen participation,
00:50:29 freedom of information, etc.
00:50:31 If we are there,
00:50:33 we will push the agencies to walk the talk.
00:50:36 So that's one of the engagements of PSLINK.
00:50:41 We also went to the so-called
00:50:44 NEDA Stakeholders Chamber of the SDG.
00:50:48 So we are also monitoring the performance,
00:50:52 the scorecards of the agencies when it comes to the SDG.
00:50:55 Because that's important to us.
00:50:58 That's a big part of it.
00:51:00 Of course, in the legislation,
00:51:03 we are not only working on the climate,
00:51:08 but also on other professions that need to be discussed.
00:51:16 PSLINK is also active in the Alternative Budget Initiative.
00:51:21 This is under the umbrella of Social Watch,
00:51:24 where we monitor the budget of the people,
00:51:27 the budget of health, education, social services,
00:51:31 agriculture, and environment.
00:51:34 So we are looking at
00:51:38 not only the bread and butter issues of the workers,
00:51:45 but we know that the impact of the advocacy campaigns
00:51:51 on the public sector is also important.
00:51:57 And of course, we want, even though we know it's very challenging,
00:52:01 the meritocracy in the government.
00:52:05 That should be the umbrella,
00:52:08 not just the "baker-baker"
00:52:11 with the NBA, political patronage.
00:52:16 We know that we are really fighting for that.
00:52:19 We are really fighting for that.
00:52:21 We are not qualified to appoint people to the government,
00:52:26 and we are not just jokers.
00:52:30 We are not just jokers.
00:52:32 Anyway, Miss Annie,
00:52:34 does your group have a position in the ChACHA?
00:52:37 Yes, we are students there.
00:52:39 You are students?
00:52:40 We are students in the ChACHA,
00:52:42 we don't need that.
00:52:44 It's not possible for our congressmen to pass a law
00:52:48 if they want to allow direct foreign investors or investment.
00:52:56 And so that they can enter,
00:53:00 they should lower the electricity bill,
00:53:02 because we are one of the most expensive electricity.
00:53:06 So we are just teaching the ChACHA,
00:53:09 and we want to support the agenda of women
00:53:13 and not the ChACHA of some.
00:53:16 So you mean this is the position of PSLINC and PUBLIC?
00:53:21 Yes.
00:53:22 We are fighting for that.
00:53:24 Our colleagues, as you mentioned earlier,
00:53:28 we are colleagues of the National Police Commission,
00:53:31 the non-uniformed personnel of PNP,
00:53:34 the DepEd, National Employees Union.
00:53:40 These are the examples of DPWH,
00:53:44 we have a lot of members there,
00:53:47 and also the State Universities.
00:53:49 So that is the reason why PSLINC is just pointing out
00:53:55 the position of our local governments when it comes to ChACHA.
00:54:00 That is not what we need right now.
00:54:03 Let's go back to the issue of women.
00:54:05 They say that the gender gap in the Philippines
00:54:08 in terms of political participation or even positions
00:54:11 in the second level management position,
00:54:14 is a better picture for women.
00:54:18 What is your engagement?
00:54:20 Are there women mentoring women, women helping women?
00:54:23 Because they say that the women who are more prominent in life
00:54:28 are in education, employment, and positions in management.
00:54:32 What is their demand in the issue of ILOC 190?
00:54:37 Are they your help in public awareness?
00:54:41 You said information, awareness, and campaign.
00:54:45 Yes, it's true that we have made a big advance,
00:54:50 especially in the Philippines when it comes to participation in political leadership,
00:54:58 especially in the middle, in the ranks of the women.
00:55:07 And that is not an accident.
00:55:10 We know that you have been part of our long-term gender and development advocacy.
00:55:16 We started with gender sensitivity.
00:55:18 So now, we have raised the level of that and the GAD budget has helped a lot
00:55:26 to continue the 5% especially in the government
00:55:32 to really support the programs of what is called affirmative action.
00:55:37 So all agencies should have affirmative action
00:55:40 so that the women can say, "Let's break the glass ceiling."
00:55:46 The obstacles, the barriers, the obstacles,
00:55:50 because of our ongoing advocacy,
00:55:53 have been gradually removed and we have a lot of legislators
00:55:57 who are women who are really empowered and will be empowered
00:56:01 because of the laws that they passed.
00:56:04 So that is what I think we should continue to do so that it will not be reversed.
00:56:12 It should be irreversible, it should be sustainable.
00:56:16 And what we see as the measures there
00:56:19 that should not be dependent on the leadership of the agencies
00:56:23 are the laws that can not be changed if the one above does not support.
00:56:34 Ms. Annie, just to be clear, all of us who became presidents,
00:56:39 BBM is now in his 8th after EDSA,
00:56:41 there were also some who were affected by the salary.
00:56:45 But what about those who became presidents,
00:56:50 who do you think is on the record?
00:56:52 Maybe BBM is just making his record.
00:56:55 Who is more considerate or more open to the issue of workers,
00:57:01 whether it's salary or talking about protection for female workers?
00:57:07 Who is it in this?
00:57:09 Of course, it started with the former President Cory.
00:57:13 If he did not start, it's not possible.
00:57:18 Then for all government employees and workers,
00:57:24 when it was legislated, it was during the time of President Ramos,
00:57:31 even the return of some who were not there.
00:57:35 For the soldiers and police, of course, they love it when their salaries doubled.
00:57:40 I can say that the salaries of police and soldiers doubled during the time of former President Duterte.
00:57:50 But for all government employees, it started with President Cory,
00:58:01 then the National Collective Agreement of former President Gloria Macapagalaro.
00:58:07 But who is the most gender sensitive and clear in giving protection and support to the issues of women?
00:58:20 Who is it?
00:58:22 I am thinking of who really walked the path of women.
00:58:30 The champions of women?
00:58:33 Yes, because during the time of President Cory,
00:58:39 that's when the National Machinery Commission on the Role of Filipino Women started.
00:58:44 If you look at it, that's where it started.
00:58:47 We have machinery.
00:58:49 Then when was the former Senator Shehani?
00:58:55 That term really ranked.
00:58:58 Yes, our advocacy and campaign for gender equality.
00:59:05 So those were the very remarkable periods that were striking,
00:59:11 even in the Supreme Court, our Associate Justice there, women.
00:59:19 So that's the period I saw that not only did the foundation work,
00:59:25 but the next presidents also helped build policies.
00:59:36 In the end, are there still those who think that important legislative amendments,
00:59:42 many have been passed, like SOGIEX, the divorce law, etc.
00:59:48 Aside from the amendment, you said the alignment of the laws for C190,
00:59:55 what are your goals for the advancement of the origin of feminism?
01:00:00 How do you think the laws are? Aside from the "cha-cha" that you don't like.
01:00:03 So, SOGIEX, we want to be inclusive and also give protection to everyone,
01:00:13 regardless of your sexual orientation or what you want to identify yourself with.
01:00:19 So that's a big push we're pushing.
01:00:22 And also the MAGWI, which is called Magna Carta for Women in the Informal Economy.
01:00:28 We also want to support that.
01:00:31 And of course, we also support divorce.
01:00:35 I don't know what will happen because that's what was debated last week.
01:00:41 So, three important things.
01:00:44 But in the public sector, we also want to pass the Public Sector Labor Relations Act.
01:00:51 This will make the Philippines compliant with ratifying the ILO Convention 151
01:00:59 that we campaigned for 10 years.
01:01:02 In 2017, ironically, when former President Duterte ratified it, but it was still in force.
01:01:11 So, all four of them, PSLRB, MAGWI, divorce law, SOGIEX,
01:01:17 that's what we want them to focus on.
01:01:21 And I should not forget the passing of the Freedom of Information Bill.
01:01:27 Because that's the test.
01:01:29 Let's not fool ourselves. If you really want a transparent future, don't forget this.
01:01:35 This Freedom of Information Bill should be certified as urgent.
01:01:41 Because this is what will give a spotlight so that those who are hiding can be seen.
01:01:47 Sunshine principle.
01:01:49 So, Ms. Annie, on a personal note, you've been in government for 30 years.
01:01:55 And your advocacy, and the other things you mentioned earlier,
01:02:01 it seems like you've been a whistleblower for many years.
01:02:05 And for a time, I know you have a feeling that you're being forced.
01:02:11 Don't you get tired? Until when? I'm sorry.
01:02:15 What I've learned as a government official, yes, I'm a breast cancer survivor.
01:02:27 By God's grace, I followed a natural course.
01:02:32 On the issue of fatigue, I think I became abnormal.
01:02:39 I can't move if I'm not doing anything.
01:02:43 So, it became a part of my breathing.
01:02:51 I'm happy because we see that there are results in our long advocacy, even if it's hard.
01:03:05 That's also what gives me vitamins to maintain my health.
01:03:15 And I see that what I'm doing is a practice of my faith.
01:03:26 I'm doing this because I think it gives me life to continue what I'm doing now.
01:03:36 And if God sees that it's right, He will decide.
01:03:41 So, this is also my goal, to continue my advocacy.
01:03:47 Yes, and maybe we should also shout out to many like you in our career service, in our bureaucracy.
01:03:55 And it seems that they are not recognized enough because the bosses are usually in front of the camera.
01:04:03 Yes, that's right. I want to shout out to many government officials,
01:04:13 that their commitment is really worth it.
01:04:18 I think if it wasn't for them, the government of the Philippines would be in a mess because the government officials are moving.
01:04:27 So, that's despite what's above, that sometimes that's what gives a bad image to the bureaucracy.
01:04:42 And that's not fair for the million, the officials are 2.4 million.
01:04:48 If you just count the employees of the government, a good 2 million are the ones who are being manipulated by the Philippine Civil Service.
01:04:59 So, let's be alive, my fellow government officials.
01:05:04 Okay, and because of the experience, institutional memory, and the right to service,
01:05:10 together with the best sources as journalists,
01:05:14 actually, those are our civil servants who are unheralded and in the shadows of politicians.
01:05:22 Good day, Ms. Annie.
01:05:24 And let's continue to monitor the implementation of ILO C190.
01:05:30 Good day and keep safe.
01:05:32 [Music]