by Rhei Gian Hernandez

The PUP Samahang Janitorial (SJ PUP) called for fair living wages, decent benefits, and job security during a general assembly at the PUP College of Communication (COC) AVR on April 25.

Over 70 janitors attended the general assembly to address the long-standing problem of delayed benefits, reduced incentive payments, and supply shortages.

According to Tatay Jun Jorda, SJ PUP President, the employees only have P3465 five-day Service Incentive Leave (SIL) and 13th-month as their benefits, which are often delayed or reduced.

The group is demanding a “living wage,” saying that their current daily wage of P695  is insufficient to cover basic necessities.

“Minimum wage tayo pero ‘di sapat,” said Jorda. “Dapat ang sweldo, nakakabuhay na sahod, minimum wage ang tawag nila, [at] ang palaging nating sinisigaw is itaas ang sahod sa nakakabuhay na sahod.”

However, the janitorial staff’s difficulties extend beyond their wages. Their agency, STARCOM Manpower, has long been under scrutiny for the janitors’ recurring issues, such as the delayed benefits, lack of transparency, and unfulfilled promises.

Workers also raised that the provided tin of wax per month by STARCOM is not enough for the classrooms, especially with the growing population of PUP students. This forces employees to spend their own money to buy supplies for maintaining the university’s facilities. 

“Suplay na binibigay satin na isang lata ng wax ay pagkakasyahin sa ilang kwarto sa loob ng isang buwan, sa dami ng estudyante, pagkakasyahin mo sa isang buwan,” an SJ PUP member said. 

The problems besetting the janitors are nothing new—they can be traced back to 2023. The same concerns over 13th-month pay, SIL, and delayed benefits remain unresolved for three years despite continuous discussions. The janitorial staff’s struggles are not limited to their finances but are also about the value and recognition of their work.

“Alalahanin natin, tayong manggagawa ang gulugod ng ating bansa. ‘Pag walang manggagawa, walang asenso ang bansa,” Jorda said.

The assembly served as a final reminder of their collective objectives and the unified voice for the Labor Day protests on May 1.