The 1,057 building attendants working at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminals will enjoy uninterrupted employment for three years effective on December 1.
Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) General Manager Ed Monreal said this is in line with President Duterte’s desire to end the endo (short for end of employment) scheme.
Four private entities, operating at each of the four Naia terminals, have a contract with the Miaa to provide the manpower to clean and maintain their respective buildings.
The private companies receive a specified amount from the Miaa, from which they source the attendants’ salaries, Monreal said.
As stated in the new contract with the Miaa, each private firm will provide their employees with 13th month pay, health benefits and Social Security System (SSS) contribution effective on December 1.
Before the new directive, the building attendants were covered under the Job Order Personnel status without security of tenure and would be out of job, usually within six months.
Under the agreement with the winning bidders, all attendants must be given what is due to them and must be employed continuously for three years, renewable every three years, unless removed for serious violation or habitual absenteeism, Monreal said.
The new contract requires no age limit. The Miaa asked the winning bidders to consider employing attendants with violations for at least six months before letting them go.
The Naia Terminal 1 has 356 building attendants, 272 at Terminal 2, 372 at Terminal 3 and 57 at Terminal 4, or a total of 1,057.
Most of the attendants claimed they have been with the airport janitorial services for more than 10 years, while some have already spent 15 years cleaning the Naia toilets.
The Naia’s Terminal 1 has 76 toilets; Terminal 2 has 47 and expanding, Terminal 3 has 100 and Terminal 4 has 24.
Alma Nival, one of the 1,057 attendants, said they welcome the opportunities provided by the Miaa.
“At least we are assured of employment for three years, renewable as long as the company exists, and we will get the 13th month pay, medical benefits and SSS,” Nival said.