MANILA, Philippines — As the country's largest employer, the national government should mark Labor Day by launching a program that would regularize thousands of its longtime casual workers, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Thursday. "It can begin with contractual workers in government hospitals. Not only medical staff, but essential workers like attendants, cleaning and sanitation personnel, equipment technicians — without whom no hospital can exist." According to Recto, the sharp increase of temporary hires "distorts and hides" how much the government spends on personnel services. The government on Labor Day is expected to inoculate against COVID-19 some 5,000 minimum wage workers and overseas Filipino workers under the A4 priority group as part of a "symbolic inoculation ceremony" proposed by DOLE.

Source: Philippine Star April 29, 2021 06:56 UTC