At least four umbrella networks of labor groups have expressed their opposition to the National Government Rightsizing Bill, saying this could lead to job losses at the level of rank-and-file employees.
In a statement, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), the Public Sector Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), the Confederation of Independent Union in the Public Sector (CIU-SENTRO), and other NAGKAISA Labor Coalition affiliates said the government should instead protect the rights of government workers.
“We voice anew our opposition to the Rightsizing Bill (House Bill No. 7240), which could result in further streamlining of the rank and file and much needed workforce in the public sector, while maintaining top government positions that are hardly needed, and are responsible for eating up the bulk of the country’s budget for basic services,” FFW President Sonny Matula said.
“We call on the government to ensure workers’ representation as it is crucial that the voices and concerns of the workers are heard and addressed throughout the process as the same is guaranteed by theConstitution,” United Workers of Duty Free Philippines-FFW chairperson Romeo Silva added.
The rightsizing measure proposed by the administration, however, will not cover teachers and health workers as well as military and uniformed personnel and posts in government-owned and -controlled corporations and government financial institutions which are under the jurisdiction of the Governance Commission on GOCCs.
“Rightsizing will cover all departments and agencies of the Executive
Branch to simplify government operations, systems and processes to facilitate the delivery of quality services and streamline and digitalize government systems and processes to improve government interoperability,” Budget Undersecretary Wilford Wong said during a House hearing on the measure in November.
“This bill will also rationalize rules and operations to reduce regulatory burden on citizens, businesses and other stakeholders and design organizational structure of agencies to facilitate the implementation of programs and projects,” he added.
The labor groups said the proposed measure would have “adverse effects” on rank-and-file government workers, who have already been hit by previous reorganization efforts in the government.
“These efforts resulted in the emaciation of rank-and-file workers, abloated top, institutionalization of contractualization schemes, and the privatization of public services,” the labor groups said.
The House of Representatives last week approved on second reading House Bill 7240, which has been listed as one of the legislativepriorities of the current administration.
Instead of rightsizing, the labor groups called for the passage of the Public Services Relations Bill, or House Bill No. 1513, and the New Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2022, or Senate Bill No. 589.