Group asks P10-K gratuity pay for contractual, job order employees this Christmas

Some public sector workers are now challenging President Rodrigo Duterte to approve the request for an additional payment of P10,000 to all “irregular” government employees this Christmas.

“Job order” and “contract of service” (JO/COS) workers refer to those who work without an employer-employee relationship with the government. As a result, they do not get benefits such as a Christmas bonus or additional payment this holiday outside of the 13th-month pay.

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“Nganga na naman ba kami ngayong Pasko?” said Roxanne Fernandez, spokesperson of the group Staff Against Contractualization (KALAKON), Thursday, in a statement.

He said JO/COS can be found in places such as:

  • Department of Social Welfare and Development (national government agency)
  • National Housing Authority (government-owned and controlled corporations)
  • local government units
  • Metro Manila Development Authority
  • state universities and colleges
  • public hospital

The Civil Service Commission estimates that there will be as many as 600,000 such workers and professionals nationwide.

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Group asks P10-K gratuity pay for contractual, job order employees this Christmas

“We feel so neglected and abandoned because even though we are at the forefront of government services to the public and have been with government for more than several years, we are disowned by government as their employees by government itself,” said a DSWD worker.

The Confederation for Unity, Recognition, and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) Santiago Dasmariñas Jr. also supported the call for P10,000 gratuity pay this Christmas.

“We consider them as fellow public servants. They need this economic relief, and they certainly deserve to receive such gratuity,” explained Dasmarinas.

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Malacañang had earlier said that there was nothing wrong with denying the Christmas bonus to employees who could not get the vaccine against the COVID-19 virus, something that acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is now pushing for those working at their city hall. However, it is said to be optional and not required by law.

Under Presidential Decree 851 states that the 13th monthly payment must be given to all rank and file workers, “regardless of the nature” of their employment, before December 25th annually.

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