Pabrika at kontrata: the effects of contractualization in the occupational safety and health of workers from manufacturing industries of Valenzuela City

Abstract

The implementation of contractualization has long been affecting the labor force of the Philippines making distinctions such as regular workers and contractual workers. In Valenzuela City, the Kentex Fire Tragedy exposed the conditions of the laborers, especially the contractual workers. This research aims to determine how contractualization affects the occupational safety and health of the workers from the manufacturing industries of Valenzuela City. A total of 30 workers (regular and contractual) from different factories of Valenzuela City participated in the survey. To support this, insights were added through interviews with a regular and a contractual worker, victims from that fire tragedy and a representative of Kilusang Mayo Uno. Data about contractualization and safety and health standards were also gathered from the Labor Code of the Philippines and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC). The findings revealed that there were standards which weren't being provided by the employers which affect contractual workers more, making them deprived of workers' benefits, Personal Protective Equipment and being locked in their factories, thus making them prone to accidents. Both of the workers wanted to end contractualization, therefore, there's a need for unionism- a collective action and the enactment of House Bills that support the workers to end their worse conditions and to have equality in the workplace.