The government has no moral authority on contractualization

How can the government, in conscience, pressure the private sectors employers to absorb into their regular force the workers of the service contractors, when the government itself is the top employer of hundreds of thousands of job order workers and casuals who have been there for 10, 20 or even 30 years? Where does the government get its moral authority to interfere with how businessmen run and operate their businesses while the government itself cannot start its crusade on its own backyard?

The government is now very active in inspecting private establishments using a Labor Code person on visitorial power. Today, we are in 2018 (44 years after the Labor Code’s promulgation, and 46 years after the Martial Law proclamation), the government is still acting like we are in a Martial Law dictatorship. Employers are ordered to do this and do that, too much interference in running the business. This is very destructive in a globalized, highly-competitive business environment. This is not good for the country.

How many thousands of job orders are wasted in the government? They do not have SSS or GSIS coverage. They do not have PhilHealth or PAG-IBIG coverage. If they die or meet work-connected accidents, the employees’ compensation system does not cover them. And so, why is the government twisting the arms of small and medium enterprises, micro-enterprises, and struggling firms with start-up operations to comply with the many labor standards and follow too many regulations that destroy the viability of enterprises?

Look at the quality of government buildings and offices. They are top violators of occupational safety and health standards. Many offices are overcrowded, polluted, and the physical and the psycho-social components are hazardous to the health safety and welfare of employers. Only the top honcho and bigwigs are occupying cozy, 5-star hotels. The poor casuals and job orders even eat their food inside dirty walks and toilets.

The government should better examine its own conscience. If it cannot even walk its talk, it better shut up. The government should not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. The employers are not the enemies. They pay millions in taxes. They employ millions of unskilled workers. And they pay all wages and benefits. Whys should the government not clean up its own backyard?