EDITORIAL – Decent pay

Government workers are not supposed to stage a strike, so weather forecasters used their lunch break last Tuesday for an unprecedented mass action to call for the release of their benefits. The employees of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration blamed their poor pay for the death of a worker who could not afford to buy medicine for his illness.

The protesters said another employee failed to report for work after running out of money for transportation fare. Employees also could no longer pay health insurance premiums, prompting their health maintenance organization to cancel its contract with PAGASA.

President Aquino, who made a surprise visit to the weather bureau on the same day, promised to look into the employees’ plight while at the same time reminding them to continue performing their duties especially in this season of weather disturbances and floods. So far the PAGASA employees have complied.

The grievances of the PAGASA employees are not unique. Low pay and delayed payment of benefits are common complaints of public school teachers, some of whom risk kidnapping, rape and murder in the country’s conflict areas. Studies have also shown that many police personnel live below the poverty line and lack decent housing. Soldiers have complained not only of low pay and benefits but also the lack of basic items such as sturdy boots and emergency medical supplies in the field. Low pay has also driven away health professionals from government health centers. Even members of the judiciary have complained about their salaries.

Meanwhile, in some agencies, management-level personnel enjoy perks so good they never want to leave government service. The Aquino administration has initiated the rationalization of salaries and benefits in government-owned or controlled corporations. Rationalization should also be instituted at the other end of the spectrum.

There are dedicated individuals who believe public service is a noble calling that involves a degree of sacrifice. But better pay makes for happy workers, which generally improves productivity. The government must decide whether it wants to invest in providing decent pay and benefits to its employees, and to invest in recruiting top talent. The government must then make sure that it has the funds to sustain the investment. In hiring people, as in many other things, you tend to get what you pay for. –(The Philippine Star)