Contractualization

Every time my wife and I go malling, I always see uniformed salesgirls standing behind counters—on high heels—for eight to nine hours each day. I ask them if they are even given a break. They tell me that sure, they are given a 30-minute break for lunch and an opportunity to go to the comfort room.

But, would you believe that they are required to stand up? They are not supposed to sit down—I’d say that’s violation of human rights.

It’s bad enough that contractualization is being practiced by mall owners nationwide. Sales people are hired as contract workers, paid minimum wages and are given no sick or vacation or maternity leave. They don’t even have 13th month pay.

Contractualization also means that these contract workers are replaced every five or six months to circumvent labor laws. No wonder there’s never a strike in those shopping malls —the workers are only contract workers.

I don’t know what the Labor Department and even the Commission on Human Rights are doing. I truly pity sales persons!