Contractualization of labor

Speaking of the poor, one of the biggest anomalies being perpetrated by management of shopping centers is the “contractualization” of labor.

The anomaly consists of hiring employees for only five months, through recruiting agencies (more often than not owned by the same shopping centers) to avoid making those employees permanent and thus entitled to benefits. This is also done to prevent unions form getting too powerful. The practice is contrary to labor laws.

The Department of Labor and Employment is fully aware of this anomaly but would rather close its eyes. Either some of the DoLE officials are on the take, or that they are scared to fight the tycoons who operate these malls.

The Aquino administration promises us change. But can Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz do away with this anomaly? Come to think of it, is the Aquino administration really pro-poor?

When employees are hired for only five months to make way for the next batch of recruits, they are only too willing to accept the job. They have no choice.

And then when you observe these employees, mostly in sales, they are not allowed to sit down. They wear high heels for the entire eight hours they spend at work.

Is this not a violation of human rights? This is plain and simple torture! –Emil Jurado, Manila Standard Today