THE UST employees’ unions called for an urgent review of the much-criticized health permit requirement imposed by the Manila city government, saying its implementation “falls short of a just and fair system” and threatens to disrupt the University’s operations.
In a letter addressed to the UST community dated July 31, leaders of the Organisasyon ng Nagkakaisang Empleyado-UST (ONE-UST) urged UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. to join calls to examine what they described as the “discriminatory” implementation of the local government ordinance.
“We also urge the Father Rector to join us, along with labor unions in private educational institutions, organized workers, and student organizations, in calling for a review of City of Manila Ordinance No. 8793 and how it is being implemented in educational institutions,” the two-page letter read.
“The current implementation of the ordinance not only poses challenges for our workers, but also threatens to disrupt the smooth functioning of the University,” it added.
ONE-UST, a labor coalition composed of the UST Faculty Union, Samahang Manggagawa-UST and the Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Manggagawa-UST Hospital, also requested for a meeting with Ang or his representative “as soon as possible,” noting that the issue is a labor-management concern.
The letter, which was released on the deadline to comply with the health permit requirement, was signed by UST Faculty Union president Emerito Gonzales, Samahang Manggagawa-UST president Dan Paul Patricio and Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Manggagawa-UST Hospital president Donell John Siazon. Earlier this week, ONE-UST asked the Manila city government to extend the deadline to Aug. 31, saying the effects of super typhoon “Carina” had prevented several workers from complying.
Under the ordinance, all teaching and non-teaching employees must pay P625 to secure a health permit, which must be renewed every year. To obtain a health certificate, they must present a valid ID, stool and urine samples, and a filled-out drug test form and biometrics, which must be accomplished at the Manila Health Department’s public health laboratory. Those who fail to comply will be slapped with a fine of at least P3,000 for the first offense and at least P5,000 and the revocation of the employee’s health certificate for the second offense.
Thomasian employees who fail to obtain a permit by July 31 will also be barred from accessing the University’s official online service MyUSTe, according to a document bearing the seals of UST, the Manila Health Department and Lungsod ng Maynila.
ONE-UST described the ordinance as “discriminatory” and inconsistent with existing laws and regulations.
“We believe in the importance of a fair and just system and the current implementation falls short of this. While it requires everyone to secure a health permit to work or practice their profession in Manila, it exempts others based on professional licenses unrelated to health or fitness for work, which defeats the purpose of securing a health permit,” the labor coalition said.
“We are also aware that other educational institutions in Manila conduct annual medical examinations without requiring an additional health permit from the city government.”
ONE-UST also cited the directive that employees must undergo drug testing under the ordinance. The requirement, the coalition said, is inconsistent with the Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Department of Labor and Employment Department Order 53-03 series of 2003 since they only require randomized drug testing.
The coalition also described as “alarming” the monitoring of the compliance of university staff with the annual submission of health certificate or professional tax receipt, noting that failure to follow the requirement could prevent workers from using the MyUSTe portal. It criticized the University for deciding to implement sanctions without consulting its workers, saying the recently issued document enumerating them has “generated more concerns, fear, anger and confusion” among employees.
“Pending the result of this meeting (with the rector), we urgently request the suspension of the monitoring mechanism… which has been causing undue stress and anxiety among our ranks,” ONE-UST said.
“We believe that workers are essential partners of the University, and it is incumbent on the institution to consult and dialogue with worker representatives on issues that affect them before issuing related memoranda.”
As of July 29, more than half or 1,701 out of 3,261 UST personnel have not complied with the ordinance, according to data obtained by The Flame. Of the figure, which was tallied by the UST Santo Tomas e-Service Providers, 1,409 are faculty members, 226 are non-academic personnel and 66 are administrative officials and staff. F
