Random commentaries on unemployment, mendicancy and how and why beggars shouldn’t be choosy bastards (part one of a series)

“It is very tragic that our children are forced to work early not because of their parents’ irresponsibility or callousness but due to the government’s inability to promote their well-being by providing enough jobs and decent wages for the people,” said KMU secretary general Wilson Baldonaza. -

 - "KMU: Better jobs, wages would mean fewer child workers" Jerome Aning, PDI

Now this is plain bull. There ARE enough jobs around the country. You can see it all around - openings for laborers, clerks and the works. IF that is not enough, look at all the idle farmlands in the provinces that need a shitload of farmers to till them. The problem is, a lot of people won't take them for they are 'too menial' for them. Jesus H. Christ on a crutch - what kind of jobs do they want, something wherein they just sit down and wait for the money to come in?

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A few weeks back, I saw this documentary on TV about kids fishing for catfish (hito) in a stream by getting the fish from the nets by hand while their father was drinking the day away in a local videoke. The local social welfare office said that it wasn't exploitation for the kid was not forced to work for profit or wages- he was just chipping in to have food for the day. And the dad goes on screen saying that he can't find a decent job, then goes to drink some more gin and sing in the videoke while the kid goes swim in dirty water and get stung by the catfish's barbs. And when dinner time rolls along, the father goes to chow on the catfish. What the fuck?

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A thief was caught and beaten black and blue and maybe purple by tambays, some kibitzers and a guy who was chasing the thief so that he can score brownie points on the victim, who was a female acquaintance. The thief was then brought to a local precinct and was beaten some more. The thief then asks for forgiveness, saying that he did that because he doesn't have a job and he can't feed his family. Huh?

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Those are just snapshots of how fucked up a lot of jobless Filipinos are.  It's one thing to be unemployed because you don't have that good an education that will qualify you for a high-paying job but that does not give you a license to lament your sad fate on the roadside and wait for dole-outs. There are a LOT of jobs out there, fercryingoutloud. Honest jobs at that. Those jobs maybe hard physically and may not pay much, but it's honest, and is something to be proud of. Of course cheating employers is another matter altogether…

One other thing that really irks me is the unrelenting prodding from a lot of people to legislate wages, whether as a legislated wage hike or a law mandating a fixed salary. These prodding people have the stupid politicians (whoops. redundant term there) by the tails and balls and they know it - these people will not hesitate to call upon these self-serving politicians (whoops. another redundant term there. i'm on a roll today people) the bleating masses that (presumably - who says elections here are exactly vox populi, vox dei?) hold their ticket to reelection. I really can't say anything about their agony - on one side, their remaining vestiges of common sense is constantly reminding them that giving in would be bad for the economy in general and will send SMEs to their deaths. That will result in a lot of pissed-off employers and employees who would make sure to strike their names off the next ballot that comes their way. On the other, that will ensure their reelection (and continued pilfering of government funds). Tough luck eh?

(to be continued)