Of Election and Contractualization...

Election is fast approaching here in the Philippines. In every corner, every wall or even on the television, you can see faces of aspirants hoping to catch the attention of the public so they can have that coveted seat in the Government. Each of every candidate does have platforms or plans aiming to help eradicate problems of the masses. Some are doable and yet some are dreamy and quite impossible.

Photo grabbed from the net…

Actually as to what I see, the main problem of my country is the lack of opportunities when it comes to providing jobs for its people. Any job that would feed every starving family, any job that can send every children to school and any job that can give them security when they’re old is a job often missing or hard to chase here in the Philippines. These were the things that politicians in my country used to dramatize whenever election is drawing near. They act as if they were heroes who would fill the void promising at the expense of their names that if they’ve got the chance to rule then things would be better. Though, I am not judging any of them, sometimes these people can’t keep what they have promised. Those sweet words so enticing and tempting being uttered before election are often forgotten once they’re elected.

Three weeks ago, a slight commotion happened in the company where I am currently working. Numerous contractual gathered on the locker room bidding their goodbyes to their regular workmates. It was a scene not too pleasant, a scene many of us are afraid of. In one corner I saw a young single mother whining on how she would raise her child on times like these when she don’t have a job anymore. On the other side another workmate was complaining on how he can support his family since he is the breadwinner. Everywhere in that room were faces of sadness and of plight on why at one surprise they have lost their jobs.

Not like us regular employees, contractors have less privilege and are deprived from company benefits. They can stay for a minute and be gone for a second if the company wills it. There was a law that contractual should renew their contracts every three months and another three months depending on the company. In short their tenure is always endangered.I pity those co-workers  of mine who for a year or two have dedicated their service to our company and because of certain predicament our company is facing with just one click they have vanished.

Happy memories with the contractual…They’re not just co-workers but they’re good friends.

If only they were regular employees, if only there were no Contractualization and if only someone with authority can abolish this system then they’re still here working for their families.

Going back to election, I call to mind a certain Senatorial candidate last 2010 election that supported the prohibition of Contractualization.Jamby Madrigal has been bold and intrepid enough to conceptualize a concrete platform, something that would target a certain group of people who are suffering from deprivation of job security. This woman may or may not compete next year for that coveted seat I just hope that what she has started must be pursued.

If someone’s going to ask for my vote this coming election he/she must have a specific plan for the betterment of my country, something that is doable and not just a vague promise.

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