Rep. Enrile appeals for NBN-4 workers

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile urged President Aquino yesterday to look into the plight of workers in the government-run television station NBN-4 who have not been receiving their basic salaries since November.

Enrile said that Malacañang already released additional bonuses for government employees even as officials and employees of the NBN-4 have recently taken to the streets to call government leaders’ attention not only to the non-payment of their salaries but also to the unpredictability of their fate in the coming months.

He said there is no reason for the delayed payment of the salaries and benefits of NBN-4 employees.

“The problem now faced by officers and staff of NBN-4 serves as another reminder to our leaders, particularly the executive, that as we do our work in protecting the welfare of millions of fellow Filipinos, we should not to overlook the welfare of the people who are helping the government deliver services to the people,” Enrile said.

“The reason that the government has no money to pay NBN-4 employees is unacceptable. I suspect politics has a lot more to do with this than lack of funds, so there is more reason for the President to immediately look into this issue, especially with Christmas just around the corner. We should not toy around with the lives of these government employees and their families,” he said.

He said the government should do more to protect its employees’ rights and welfare, saying that failure to ensure even the timely payment of public employees’ salaries would negate efforts to stamp out corruption in government.

“Public employees receive lower salaries compared to their counterparts in the private sector. And it’s really going to be very hard for honest government officials to decline bribes and resist the temptation to become corrupt if they are not being paid their salaries on time,” he said.

Enrile urged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to regularly check on all government units, including government-owned and controlled corporations, to ensure that employment laws and regulations are followed.

He also said CSC and DOLE should explore the possibility of setting up a special mechanism where government employees are regularly asked about their working conditions to address any concerns.

“There should be a confidential channel where government workers can air their concerns without fear of retaliation from higher officials in the bureaucracy, and someone who will serve as an impartial arbiter between government agencies and their employees,” Enrile said.