During a series of random surprise inspections conducted by Senator Raffy Tulfo on various factories as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment to see the working conditions of laborers, he then proceeded to 2 canning factories in Navotas.
Tulfo initially visited a corned beef manufacturing plant where he was met by employees taking their break just outside of the plant and took the opportunity to immediately air their concern to the legislator.
“The pakyawan system forces us to work like a cow for 12 hours just to be paid the minimum wage.”
The workers mainly lamented the “pakyawan system” imposed on them by the factory where they’re forced to work like a cow for 12 hours just to be paid the minimum wage. Workers further protest that they unjustly suffer huge wage losses in that 4 hours of overtime.
Upon entering the plant, the lawmaker was met by deafening sounds of heavy machinery and he immediately noticed that workers operating them are not equipped with ear plugs.
To add, the senator also said that even he himself was excessively sweating due to lack of proper ventilation in the working area, not to mention the foul odor.
Meanwhile, the personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) noticed an expired fire extinguisher and an inaccessible emergency fire hose that was neither connected to a tank or any supply of water.
He then visited the next canning factory of sardines. Although it seemed more organized and clean, Tulfo again noted a poor ventilation and a non-operational industrial ceiling fan.
In its machine repair shop, he was met with scattered parts of industrial machines in the floor as well as outdated equipment with no service and maintenance records to assure it’s safe to operate. Additionally, Tulfo also noticed that the operator has no PPE, gloves or any sort of proper safety gears.
While Tulfo was doing rounds, some workers confided to his staff and said that for many decades that they have worked for the company they’re still being paid below minimum wage. Furthermore, they’re being sold excess uniforms instead of being given for free that got the ire of the senator.
“The company should help uplift the lives of its workers as a reward for their loyalty and service for so many years.”
He strongly advised the management to study and consider implementing progressive wage increase for its workers along with the company’s progress and increasing profits that it should help uplift the lives of its workers as a reward for their loyalty and service for so many years.
Tulfo said that he will immediately call for a senate investigation to tackle inhumane working conditions and deplorable company practices against the welfare of labor workers in canning factories.
