Mikel Rama raises concern over casual workers: Archival to audit CH personnel

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City mayor-elect Nestor Archival is set to conduct an audit and eventual streamlining of personnel at City Hall, while city councilor-elect and lawyer Mikel Rama expressed concern over the security of tenure of casual employees in the city government.

In an interview with reporters during his proclamation following the recently concluded National and Local Elections, Archival confirmed that an “audit and streamlining” of City Hall employees is part of his initial plans.

Archival, however, clarified that this does not necessarily mean employees will be removed outright.

“We will be auditing them and streamline… Kon kini siya nga tawo angay ba ni siya… mu fit ba (on his work). It doesn’t mean nga tangtangan,” Archival said.

He emphasized that employees perform effectively when they understand the nature of their work.

“Inherent man gud ni sa tawo nga kamao kas imong gihimo, mutrabaho ka, pero kong wala ka kahibaw, unsaon nimo pag trabaho kon di ka kahibaw?” Archival added.

As an engineer, Archival said it is natural for him to assess the capabilities of those under his supervision.

“Kami as engineers kinahanglan nimo e tan-aw unsay capacity sa usa ka tawo. You have this job, kaya nimo. Dinhi sa City Hall, it is very important nga atong ma streamline atong operations nga mas madali ang paghatag sa services nya mabutang ang end sa mind nato,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mikel, the eldest son of former mayor Mike Rama, expressed his views on social media regarding the plight of City Hall’s casual employees and the recurring issue of “Tom Jones.”

“Nganong kada human sa eleksyon, daghan man maghisgot og ‘Tom Jones’? Sa akong pagsabot, tungod ni kay daghang casual nga empleyado sa City Hall taman ra og June ang ilang kontrata. Mao na giingon nga ‘Tom Jones’ taman ra June,” Rama said.

"Tom Jones" came from the term "Tomguts", which is a street slang that means the state of hunger.

Rama noted that even long-serving employees are repeatedly re-hired without gaining permanent status.

“Ang uban, bisan pa ug dugay na nagserbisyo, balik-balik ang rehiring, pero hangtod karon, walay kasiguradohan o gitawag nga security of tenure,” he said.

Rama emphasized that government workers have a constitutional right to security of tenure.

“Lisod sabton kay base sa akong nahibaw-an, nakasulat sa Constitution nga ang empleyado sa gobyerno dunay right to security of tenure. Gihisgutan sab nga temporary employees shall be protected as may be provided by law,” Rama said, also pointing out that in the private sector, casuals who are re-hired are automatically regularized.

“Sa gobyerno, bisan dugay na, pwede gihapon mapapahawa kay wala silay tenure. Sa akong ubos nga opinion, dili ni makatarunganon,” he added.

Rama concluded by calling for real protection for long-time casual government workers.

“Panahon na nga hatagan og tinud-anay nga proteksyon ang mga long-time casual workers sa gobyerno. Kung regular ilang trabaho, dapat regular sab ilang status. Dili raman gud ni trabaho… panginabuhi kini.

Angayan nga ang mga empleyado sa gobyerno maka-serbisyo nga walay kahadlok tungod ra sa politika,” he said. —/ATO (FREEMAN)