Binay seeks salary law revision to stem flight of skilled gov’t workers

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday called for the review and subsequent amendment of the Salary Standardization Law to address the exodus of highly skilled government workers to higher paying jobs abroad.

“I call on Congress to pursue revisions in the Salary Standardization Law. We need to make sure that we can offer our government workers, especially those performing highly technical work, a compensation package that sustains their families and recognizes their skills and competencies,” Binay said in a statement.

The Vice President said the review of salaries and benefits of employees is needed to stop the “brain drain” involving highly skilled government workers, especially amid reports that another weather forecaster and eight aerobridge operators of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have left the country for higher paying jobs abroad.

“It is simply not right that the country is deprived of the technical knowledge and expertise of Filipinos who would otherwise be more than willing to serve the country, but are forced to look for greener pastures just to meet the most basic needs of their families,” he said.

Binay emphasized the need to retain their services, saying that they play an important role in making the country’s economic gains more tangible.

“Aside from ensuring safety and efficiency, our government workers perform public services necessary to implement the national government’s development policy and address concerns of the business sector,” said Binay.