EMPLOYMENT and WORKERS

Every end of school year, thousands of graduates joined the labor force seeking employment. Very few were lucky to land a job, and still fewer got the job that they were prepared in college. Many joined the ranks of the unemployed. For those lucky few who were employed, they were not adequately paid, receiving salaries and wages lower than the mandated minimum. Anyone without experience, to be employed is already something to be proud of. Many graduates were not able to land a job until their age has overtaken the opportunities for employment. At a certain age, a jobseeker must be a graduate of the course and is prepared for the job and position he/she is trying to apply. On the job training while still a student is something but not an assurance to get employed. Some became an entrepreneur since getting employed has not given them a break. And yes, their parents and relatives have loaned and given them a capital to start a business. Many graduates and job-seekers find themselves working in foreign countries after years of hunting jobs in the local market. They paid placement fees to recruiters nobody is sure if it's legal and authorized to recruit and hire applicants and process their applications. They demand an initial down payment so processing of their applications can be done immediately and their departure given priority. Parents hoping their children can depart for their posting abroad immediately raise money by mortgaging their agricultural land, house and lot, even selling their cattle and farm implements so son or daughter can begin receiving salary to bail them out from monetary obligations. Younger siblings expect them to help defray their education since their parents find it hard to send them to school and earn their college education. Some employers abused our overseas workers. They didn’t comply with the terms of the contract and give them salary way below the stipulated amount.. They were made to work long hours without getting overtime premium for extended labor. Domestic helpers were not properly given food. Some domestic helpers complain they were made to eat left over foods some dogs won't eat. Our government officials posted overseas were remiss in the performance of their duties. Not all of them of course. But, many are indifferent. They didn't seem to care the welfare and well being of our countrymen. Our workers should be treated as humans and not as mere commodities. I sympathize with our workers who have to left their families behind to earn bread abroad to support their dependents wanting to survive. Leaving our love ones is a sacrifice we can bear emotionally and physically only if at the end of the day, all our efforts were not in vain. Building a house for our family, proper education for our children, savings in anticipation of our old age when we're not productive in earning money for our daily needs will somehow ease the pain. Some who can't bear the thought of being separated from their love ones will make do with whatever is available here even if it means belt-tightening for the entire family. Children are willing to have a lesser allowance as long as both father and mother are around to guide them in their growing up. After all, they reason, money is just something that can make them happy but not all happiness can be bought with money. Children would say, we are willing to give up something or even everything we deeded as luxury as long as we have both mommy and daddy. The ambitious ones, children and parents alike, would prefer the temporary separation as long as everybody commit to sacrifice something for the sake of greater glory in the end. Father would like to buy a car when he permanently return, start a new business when he decides to stop working overseas, mother will start a business of her own.. the long awaited opening of a mini-mart or boutique when dear husband comes home. Children will pursue a degree in medicine, law, engineering all expensive courses, our meager earnings here can not afford. Relatives in need of help will be given dole outs if not something for them to start their own livelihood. Domestic workers take 2^nd or part time jobs to augment the meager salary not enough to support all the needs of the family. Some will do tutorial work after office hours and even on weekends, other will serve foods in-between meals in the neighborhood, the rest will deliver and supply fruits, meat and fish to selected eateries, others in parlors and wellness centers. Workers - the backbone of our economy must be given their due, recognition, just and commensurate compensation. On the occasion of the celebration of Labor Day, may our workers, here and abroad be given everything they deserve. We don't need to beg. It's something we rightfully deserve. Long live the workers.