Sixteen years of working is not an assurance for job security.

This is the case of Vicente Doromal, one of the retrenched employees of the Pambato Cargo Forwarder Inc. who worked as a driver since the company started its operation in Iloilo.

Doromal, also the current president of the PCF Labor Union said that almost three weeks after the ordered retrenchment, their fight against the management of the cargo company continues.

The group cited that the cargo company has violated its Corporate Bargaining Agreement signed only last year.

The CBA between the management and the PFC Inc. Labor Union stated the company will not resort to lockout, mass layoff or dismissal without cause for the union, its offices or members.

As stated in their complaint filed at the regional office of DOLE, the labor union stated that the retrenchment order against their members is a grave violation of the CBA effective until May 2016.

But as they fight against the management, each day of protest is also a struggle for their own family.

Doromal and his fellow workers; Jun Ajusan, Fatima Majarucon, Ronnel Padora, Gerry Santillan, Rogelio Velasco and Romeo Bares picket in front of the Pambato office daily from 3 to 5 in the afternoon.

Since they have lost their job, Doromal said that the future of their children is already at stake.

To sustain their needs, their members solicit from the passing jeepneys in the area.

Some of their members just bring vegetable that they would share. The small collections they got are then used to buy their food.

Today, the retrenched workers will face with the officials of the cargo company in a hearing set by the National Labor Relations Commission.

Before the hearing, the group will also stage a picket rally in front of the NLRC office.

Meanwhile, House Bill 5110 or the Anti-Contractualization Bill still hanging at the House of Representatives is pushing for the constitutional rights of the workers. 

According to studies, 7 out of 10 firms in the country are implementing various types of contractualization and labor flexibilization schemes. Studies also show that contractuals or casuals now outnumber regulars among Filipino workers. This shows how contracualization has become rampant in the country, according to Joel Maglunsod, Anakpawis Executive Vice President.

In a statement, Manglungsod said that contractualization allows capitalists and big businesses to enjoy superprofits at the expense of the rights and welfare of workers.*