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Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume 2, Number 47 January 5 - 11, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
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Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume 2, Number 47 January 5 - 11, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
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Commentary The government planned nationwide apprenticeship program reveals that its concept of job generation rests mainly on the number of jobs created, not on the quality of employment provided. That fresh college graduates are the target beneficiaries does not come as a surprise, especially when analyzing the current unemployment data. By
DANILO ARAÑA ARAO President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo stressed that her decision not to run in 2004 would make
her administration focus on more important issues like unemployment. According
to her, the creation of jobs is one of the three priorities in the last 17
months of her administration, the other two being “national unity” and
“clean and honest elections in 2004.” These are enticing words from a President who intends to dispel public perception of being a lame duck and to assure the public that it is “business as usual” for the government. The
problem, however, lies in the continuity of such “business” which is
essentially anti-labor, not to mention the inherent failure to make radical
changes in labor policy and treatment of workers. The
administration’s anti-labor stance was manifested only last December 26, four
days before her announcement of not running in 2004. President Macapagal-Arroyo declared her plan to launch a
national apprenticeship program “under which fresh college graduates would be
taken in by companies for training.” As
apprentices, the recruits will be given allowances instead of salaries. No less
than Presidential Spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao admitted that “(i)t’s not
(going to be) regular work, but at least (they will receive) some income.” Based
on this plan, it is clear that the administration’s concept of job generation
rests mainly on the number of jobs created, not on the quality of employment
provided. That fresh college graduates are the target beneficiaries does not
come as a surprise, especially when analyzing the current unemployment data. Labor Force
Statistics
As
of October 2002, the country’s unemployment rate is pegged at 10 % which
translates to about 3.42 million people. Interestingly,
the 20-24 years old age group constitutes the bulk of the unemployed with 1
million. The
data show that those who are supposed to be provided employment opportunities
(having graduated from college around the age of 20) are the ones left out in
the race for limited job opportunities in the country. Allowances Not
Minimum Wage
That
the administration decided to provide apprenticeship to fresh college graduates
may not mean much in terms of compensation, since companies can opt not to peg
the “allowances” based on the prevailing minimum wage. It is probable
therefore that such allowances will be lower. Then
again, the minimum wage in the country, compared to the cost of living
requirement, is grossly insufficient for making both ends meet. As
of November 2002, the Department of Labor and Employment has peged the living
wage for a family of six at P533 in Metro Manila. The minimum wage, however,
only amounts to P280.
This
implies that the minimum wage, low as it is, still cannot be provided to
apprentices. In the eyes of the administration, however, this is still
considered work and will therefore lower the number of unemployed people in the
country. Furthermore,
it is interesting to note that of the 30.25 million employed people, around
15.63 million (51.67%) are own-account and unpaid family workers. Only 14.62
million (48.33%) are wage and salary workers, or those who regularly receive
compensation, regardless of the amount. Indeed,
analyzing government pronouncements in the context of the current employment and
unemployment situation brings to the fore the inherent weakness of the
administration to look after the welfare of workers. While
various administrations have thought of creative ways to solve the unemployment
problem, these have failed due to the lack of political will to provide workers
what is due them. The planned nationwide apprenticeship program will also meet the same fate in the light of the failure of the administration to recognize the fundamental problems besetting the labor sector, foremost of which are low wages and security of tenure. Bulatlat.com We want to know what you think of this article.
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