Government workers hit Estrada on 13th month

The leader of a militant union of government employees accused President Estrada yesterday of trying to "appease disgruntled government workers" when the Chief Executive announced the release of the 13th month pay of civil servants.

Ferdinand Gaite, president of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage), said the 13th month pay is "a yearly government obligation," and that it was not necessary for Mr. Estrada to announce its release.

"We believe the announcement was in reaction to the massive participation of state workers in the nationwide work stoppage to demand the immediate resignation of President Estrada," he said. "When they failed to harass us, they thought they can cajole us with a ‘lollipop’ of a benefit already due to us."

Gaite said the budget for the 13th month pay of civil servants is contained in the General Appropriations Act for the year 2000.

Gaite said they received half of their 13th month pay last May, and that it is government policy to release the money in two installments.

At the Department of the Interior and Local Government, employees expressed disappointment at the government’s failure to release their 13th month pay despite an assurance from Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno that they will receive their money.

Earlier, Diokno said the money for the bonuses and 13th month pay of civil servants had already been released to the various government agencies by the budget department on President Estrada’s instructions.