THE JOHN Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) Sanggunian filed Central Assembly (CA) Bill No. 4 in response to the demands of post-pandemic times. The bill aims to provide workers in the JGSOM Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) with up-to-date support and welfare by replacing related provisions of the JSEC Benefit Team Act of 2021 (JSEC BenTe).

JGSOM Sanggunian Representative Romaine James Hubilla shared that JGSOM Sanggunian’s legislative team seeks to create legislation adaptive to the evolving needs of workers. As such, the bill hopes to offer JSEC workers with “support beyond mere financial aid.” 

As of writing, the repeal bill has already been approved as Sanggunian Act No. 0041 by Sanggunian President Lean Rosendo on February 19, following its successful first and second reading with the CA.

No worker left behind

JGSOM Sanggunian School Assembly Secretary General Asher Ayeras shared that consultations with JSEC workers prompted the push for a more comprehensive replacement of the bill. According to him, discussions with the workers led to the realization that the JSEC BenTe had “run its course” as a financial aid during the pandemic.

Supporting the proposed replacement, 3 BS REnt Course Representative Aoi Rika Lim highlighted the gaps in the old act, noting its failure to include long-term employment protections, benefits, and structural support for JSEC workers.

“[JSEC BenTe] is meant to support JSEC employees. However, that practice has not been practiced at all, it hasn’t been materialized. […] The only support you get from JSEC owners is simply just finance,” Lim claimed.

Given this, Hubilla emphasized the importance of implementing the new act in a timely manner so that the JGSOM Sanggunian can proceed with assisting JSEC workers even before their contracts end this year.

Behind the counter

Beyond the JSEC BenTe, JSEC Coordinator Alyson Yap shared that he has been overseeing the welfare of JSEC employees since taking the role in 2015. According to him, part of his work is ensuring that all stall owners create proper contracts with their workers and provide legally required benefits, such as PhilHealth, SSS, and 13th-month pay.

“We haven’t had any major change in the way we operate JSEC, except maybe that we decided not to open all of the stalls, especially in the last two years […] There’s not much change, mainly because JSEC has always mandated [the minimum wage and government required benefits],” Yap stated.

With this, Yap hopes that the replacement act would be able to better inform the employees of their legal rights, as well as provide opportunities to find permanent employment outside of JSEC.

During the consultations with JSEC employees, Lim shared that some workers raised issues on job insecurity between the yearly change of stalls, as well as payment at or lower than minimum wage.

Wokwei cashier Mark Soriano mentioned job security as an aspect that needs improvement, advocating for a calamity fund to support workers during stall closures caused by holidays or weather disruptions.

Similarly, Makan cashier Mary Manipon expressed her hopes for the provision of an emergency fund for employees to provide at least a little help without a need for questioning and justification.

Recognizing contractualization and job insecurity as concerns even before the pandemic, Yap stated that such issues remain an unavoidable consequence of limiting stalls to one year of operations. Nonetheless, he mentioned that the JSEC administration prevents stall owners from issuing contracts under six months to evade providing benefits.

Both Soriano and Manipon stated that they were receiving appropriate compensation and benefits. However, Manipon mentioned that there are also cases of misunderstandings between stall owners and employees in JSEC.

Yap confirmed that conflicts between employees and stall owners occasionally occur, but the JSEC administration ensures that it ensures JSEC employee rights by intervening in cases when concerns on employment contracts arise.

Food for thought

Outside of the new act, Yap invited all JSEC workers and the Sanggunian to directly inform him about their concerns, stating that open communication between his office and the workers would help him better address existing issues.

The Sanggunian representatives also noted their intent to create a formal grievance system for JSEC workers through better education of their labor rights and ensuring that their concerns reach the necessary decision-makers.

Recognizing its implications beyond campus, Ayeras characterized JSEC as a “microcosm of the Philippine society,” highlighting that the situations of the JSEC workers closely mirror the labor issues present in the broader national context.

Moving forward, Lim asserted that JSEC “is not just a cafeteria.” As such, she expressed her hopes for people to understand and appreciate JSEC, along with its workers, student entrepreneurs, and its purpose.