The Rise and Fall of Labor Sectors Amidst Pandemic

Kaye M. Orbizo

It is pretty much sure that many of us will agree that during the normal situation in the Philippines, there are already few challenges that have confronted the different private and public sectors of labor. These encounters have brought difficulties and opportunities to both employers and employees. Some have made a choice to surrender while others have chosen to take the path of courage and have continued their battles. But what about now that a very intimidating situation has come? How will these people at work respond?

No one could ever imagine that the coming of COVID-19 will be very sudden and will spread immediately across the globe and conquer many countries and as we observe, our country has never had the chance of escaping from it. With what has transpired, different establishments and institutions have been rocked. This may be another blow to many work forces. If some of the problems we have met before are not yet addressed, then how can we resolve this new trial? How can we continue? Most public and private sectors have responded to this kind of situation by using alternative ways just to continue giving services. Some have requested their employees to work from home. Others even they have asked their workers to report, it is in skeletal force, which means they have designated workers on a particular day in order for them to observe distancing. However, with these options, challenges still have appeared. Those who are requested to work from home though they have internet connection, not all the time, they have good connection. Those who are asked to report to offices, they have encountered difficulties in going to work since some of them are using public vehicles. With these circumstances, operations could not run smoothly unlike during the normal situation.

However, there are other establishments especially in the business sector, even they have tried some options, consumption of goods and services become below the minimum. This problem has forced some of them to close, making some people unemployed, hence, many families have suffered from not meeting their needs. Others which have decided to pursue, need to lessen the number of their workers. With what has happened, the government has stood and make some remedies to assist but unfortunately not become enough to really solve the encounters.

With the challenges this pandemic has brought about, the only positive thing that I could say that has happened is that many employees and employers have continued to hope and have remained optimistic despite the threats at work. They have turned these unfortunate occurrences as opportunities to persevere and to keep looking for solutions instead of complaining. These undertakings have led them to develop their various coping mechanisms. The positivity for me is the rise of the workforce.

Upon seeing both the rise and fall of the labor force, as an employee or an employer, what is your contribution? Do you add to the fall or to the rise of the labor sectors? Think about it before it is too late.

--oOo-

The author is Administrative Aide III at Pampanga High School