Duterte to stop contractualization

[Gratefuled]

There are times when an employer needs to hire temporary workers to meet deadlines and/or shipping dates.  This applies to large stores to handle many customers during peak periods. This also applies to construction work when time and material are important when making a bid on a project. The temporary employees know their  term of employment is temporary. 

I do agree that employers should have a permanent staff of regular full time employees with benefits. The Philippines needs to enforce existing labor laws apply penalties for violations. Employee work place should be a safe environment. 

It is only when employees feel that they are not being treated fairly that they feel the need for a labor union to protect their rights.

[i am bob]

1 hour ago, Gratefuled said:

There are times when an employer needs to hire temporary workers to meet deadlines and/or shipping dates.  This applies to large stores to handle many customers during peak periods. This also applies to construction work when time and material are important when making a bid on a project. The temporary employees know their  term of employment is temporary. 

I do agree that employers should have a permanent staff of regular full time employees with benefits. The Philippines needs to enforce existing labor laws apply penalties for violations. Employee work place should be a safe environment. 

It is only when employees feel that they are not being treated fairly that they feel the need for a labor union to protect their rights.

I gotta agree with you on this...  I myself don't like having to have unions - I prefer to see an employer who keeps his staff happy without the need for unions...  Sure, pay may not be as high but benefits and bonuses usually excede what a union would get them...  If the employers here try to fit this into their companies, the staff would provide service second to none and build their businesses much higher than they are now...  They could in effect keep the same number of employees as they would expanding their business much bigger than they are now...

[scott h]

18 minutes ago, i am bob said:

If the employers here try to fit this into their companies, the staff would provide service second to none and build their businesses much higher than they are now...

The problem here folks if that we keep trying to apply "western" ideas to the Pinoy mindset. IMO they are not compatible. If SM or Ace hardware is told to give all employees a benefit package as is being proposed. two things could happen. Prices would go up (as JGF suggests) or staffing would go down. I will grant Bob his point, a smaller more "professional" staff might improve product knowledge aspect of customer service, but there will be fewer staff, so longer waits, and less personal attention. Most of us have Filipino spouses, which do you think they would prefer?

Lets take the Hypermarkets. If they are forced to pay all those ladies in green benefits, how long do you think it will be before there will only be 4 lanes open instead of 10? Or automated check outs like they have in the west? Do we think that those were put in western supermarkets because customers prefer it? Nope, its more cost effective to have one non skilled, high paid person watching 4-6 kiosks than it is to have 4-6 high paid low skilled workers passing bar codes over scanners.

Then what happens to all those young ladies from the province who come to the city for 5-6 months? They stay in the province and watch their little brothers. Who then rents all those "Bedsitter available, female only" rooms that people rent out for extra income? They stay vacant and the extra income vanishes.

The trickle down effects of this are enormous.

[mogo51]

Queenie, my only comparison relaties to their approach and upfront manner, compared to what we have all been dished up over the years - political correctness.

I see the difficulties with trying to change 'mind think' regarding employees. But getting a 'fair' balance that incorporates reasonable profits and workers fair pay, is surely a worthwhile endeavour'?

Rather than quantity on the shop floor, would rather see quality and someone who actually knows something about what they are selling?

Edited August 6, 2016 by mogo51

[i am bob]

1 hour ago, scott h said:

The problem here folks if that we keep trying to apply "western" ideas to the Pinoy mindset. IMO they are not compatible. If SM or Ace hardware is told to give all employees a benefit package as is being proposed. two things could happen. Prices would go up (as JGF suggests) or staffing would go down. I will grant Bob his point, a smaller more "professional" staff might improve product knowledge aspect of customer service, but there will be fewer staff, so longer waits, and less personal attention. Most of us have Filipino spouses, which do you think they would prefer?

Lets take the Hypermarkets. If they are forced to pay all those ladies in green benefits, how long do you think it will be before there will only be 4 lanes open instead of 10? Or automated check outs like they have in the west? Do we think that those were put in western supermarkets because customers prefer it? Nope, its more cost effective to have one non skilled, high paid person watching 4-6 kiosks than it is to have 4-6 high paid low skilled workers passing bar codes over scanners.

Then what happens to all those young ladies from the province who come to the city for 5-6 months? They stay in the province and watch their little brothers. Who then rents all those "Bedsitter available, female only" rooms that people rent out for extra income? They stay vacant and the extra income vanishes.

The trickle down effects of this are enormous.

At the same time you are using western thinking that staff will be reduced drastically...  Employers are used to having lots of staff...  Will they cut back to too few staff..?  Or still have a reasonably overstaffed floor..?  Only time will tell...  

[scott h]

11 minutes ago, i am bob said:

 Employers are used to having lots of staff

Employers are used to making lots of money. I don't think they are dumb though, once it becomes apparent that 2 employees CAN do the job of four (like lots of us have commented) which choice will they likely make? Cut down on their take home (shareholders dividends)? Or evolve to a more western style of business management.

At this time, from what I have observed, my money is on the evolutionary capabilities of the Filipino business man not the working masses.

[Jack Peterson]

2 minutes ago, scott h said:

At this time, from what I have observed, my money is on the evolutionary capabilities of the Filipino business man not the working masses.

 Seems Mr President will not listen and just bulldoze in and sod the outcome To me it is his word that matters and not anyone else's point of view. 

Jack

Morning All (late start as the Welder is here & the A/C service men )

[Queenie O.]

As expats, last time I checked, we're all just guests here anyway, and it's up to the newly elected and very popular president to make changes as he sees fit for his people.  Any perceived or real consequences and concerns for present and future expats, is not really what is at stake here. I've observed the snail's pace towards quality of life for the average person over the years here, and I say that it's their time to get a chance for a better situation. We'll just have to see how it all plays out either way. IMHO

Out of curiosity, I asked many local people that I know here before the election  why they were voting for Mr. Duterte. They almost always responded that they "wanted change".

[Jollygoodfellow]

3 hours ago, Queenie O. said:

Any perceived or real consequences and concerns for present and future expats, is not really what is at stake here.

Well I think it is actually in the sense that if prices increase everywhere then it will affect one's pocket. Most expats in my opinion are not loaded and part of the reason to move to the Philis is a cheaper cost of living. 

[chris49]

Nice subject.

I support the President, while listening to the above arguments. Prices of name brands in SM Malls, all Malls and Supermarkets will have to rise. As wages are increased or more employees are appointed full time, not on contract, the purchasing power of the employee will rise also. A full time employee will eventually spend more than a 6 month contractual employee.

The alternative for the savvy shopper will be to the Class A market. In places like Divisoria, Quiapo, Baclaran. The  market system wont be affected by the new rules on contracting.

I would not actually enjoy paying more in established outlets, but if it helps the people in anyway, I am in favour. Much of the spending in Malls is from OFW remittance money, so perhaps no major change in that.