By Jun Ramirez
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has finally signed a collective negotiation agreement (CNA) with its rank-and file employees, the first time ever in it's more than a century of existence.
Bureau of Internal Revenue
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Officers and members of the BIR Employees Union (BIREU) hailed the historic accord, describing it invariably as a “goodwill” and “serious concern” of the management on the well-being it's workers.
The union is composed of personnel holding positions from assistant division chiefs down to examiners and clerks.
About half of the estimated 10,000 personnel opted not to join the group for fear of reprisal from their superiors, it was learned.
Leoher Ocampo, BIREU president, said the apprehension was without basis as BIR Commissioner Cesar Dulay, himself, encouraged and recognized the formation of the union last year.
He said the management is aware of the government employees' right to self-organization and collective negotiations which are guaranteed by the Constitution.
Ocampo said he expects that other workers will eventually join to qualify them to share whatever benefits the management grants union members.
The association will likely ask for certain basic needs, like medical assistance and rice subsidy.
Other members said the management should provide free legal services to taxmen facing trumped-up and harassment charges for doing their jobs.