Smartmatic Contractor Fails To Pay Up: PCOS technicians complain

CEBU, Philippines - The technicians hired by the Smartmatic-Total Information Management to operate the Precinct Count Optical Scan machines used in the country’s first ever poll automation last May 10 are complaining of unpaid wages and unfulfilled promise of meal and fare allowance.

Smartmatic provincial coordinator Arnold Banogon however assured the technicians that they are already taking initiatives to facilitate “a speedy although already delayed” wages. 

Smartmatic subcontracted Ventures Link International which hired PCOS technicians in Cebu Province during the last elections.

“Unfortunately, this is a sad situation,” Banogon said. He said a similar situation is also happening in Luzon and Mindanao where PCOS technicians are yet to receive their wages.

Banogon said it is the obligation of Ventures Link International, the manpower agency tasked by Smartmatic to hire PCOS technicians.

The FREEMAN tried hard to reach Ventures Link International for comment but calls to the company were not answered.   A PCOS technician was promised P4,000 as salary during the election day. It was agreed that 40 percent of the amount shall be paid a day before the final testing and sealing of PCOS machines while the remaining 60 percent shall be released after the election day.

Technicians assigned at the mountain barangays also complained that they were not given meal and transportation allowance contrary to what has been agreed upon. According to Smartmatic, there were 1,181 PCOS technicians and 141 supervisors hired in Cebu province alone.

On top of them there were also 141 back-up technicians and 11 back-up supervisors and seven Consolidating Canvassing System technicians.   (FREEMAN NEWS)