Joy Adalia
The talents working in network giant GMA-7 are running the risk of losing their jobs over issues of regularization and alleged unfair labor practices.
In an investigative report on Manila Today, the plight of these workers was revealed for the world to see.
According to the report, many of the so-called ‘talents’ have long been working behind the scenes for the network in various programs. A lot have been in the network for over 10 years yet they are still considered as ‘talents’, not as regular workers.
What’s the difference?
Whereas regular workers work on regular office hours, talents often work on odd hours. More often than not, these could mean working more than 8 hours a day.
They do not get a lot of credit from their work despite being the ones who are actually doing the research, investigations, interviews, creative work, etc. for the network. Yes, their names are placed at the credits yet how many people bother reading these small words that quickly move across the screen, anyway? Honestly, I certainly don’t. My bad.
During events such as team building events and parties, regulars can bring their families but talents are allegedly barred from bringing theirs. For company-sponsored raffle promos, separate tambiolos are dedicated for the talents – though that might seem better because they don’t have to compete with the regulars, I would assume the prizes are different because the talents are complaining about it.
How much are they earning?
Manila Today also detailed how these talents do not receive benefits like SSS, Philhealth, health care insurance, and HDMF.
They are under the “no work, no pay” policy even when they have valid reasons for not being able to work, said Bowe Cabaluna who has been in the company for 9 years. No overtime pay is also given.
Their pay rates are often dependent on the popularity of the show/s they are working for.
According to someone from GMA-7 public affairs who requested anonymity, her pay is Php2500 per segment. She has to work on 2 segments per episode. Sounds good, right?
Well, according to her, it often takes her an entire week to work and complete those 2 segments. So, that means she gets just P10,000 for the entire month. For someone living in Metro Manila, do you think the pay rate is OK??? Considering these networks are earning a lot of money, the talents believe they deserve better pay rates.
Now, what happens if a show is cancelled? They DO NOT GET PAID! Even if they already prepared and completed materials ready for airing, if the show is axed or replaced, they don’t get paid for their efforts.
Pushing for regularization
Many of the talents are pushing for regularization, especially because many have been in the network for years. However, they are now being required to sign the Project Employment Contract (PEC). If they don’t do that by December, then their contracts are terminated – regardless of how long they have been working for GMA-7.
For example, Chloe Garcera-Ben has worked for close to 13 years as head coordinator of Imbestigator, dubbed as “Sumbungan ng Bayan” and one of the network’s largest public affairs programs. Last month, her contract was not renewed because she refused to sign the PEC.
It did not matter that she was among the backbones behind the program because, apparently, it is easy for the network to find a replacement.
Fighting for their rights
The talents have created a group they are calling as Talents Association of GMA (TAG). They are planning to register the group but couldn’t create a union because, technically, they are not employees of GMA.
They also started a Facebook page called “Buhay Media” which aimed to show the public the lives of the people behind the camera lens.
The group is hoping that GMA-7 will listen to their calls for better work conditions, excellent pay rates, and regularization, if not for themselves, then for the talents the network is sure to employ in the future.
ERRATUM
CLARIFICATION: More than 100 GMA-7 talents filed a labor case against the network and thus risk losing jobs in December, not 2,000 as reported by thedailypedia.com.
GMA Network released a statement Wednesday afternoon regarding the ongoing online protest against their new policy:
Contrary to the unfair and baseless accusations made by the complainants, GMA Network cares for its talents, whom it considers vital to its success.
GMA Network gives importance to all its workers, regardless of their employment status. Part of the Network’s efforts for the welfare of its talents is the Project Employment Contract (PEC), which provides a specific set of benefits responsive to their needs and interests.
The matter has been brought to the National Labor Relations Commission and we believe that the grievances of the complainants should be aired in the proper forum.
My sister is also a “Talent” of GMA 7 and she stayed with the company for 5 years. She would work her ass off and the company didn’t even give her a medical subsidy when she became sick because of her job. She was also not paid for being absent because she was sick. 🙁
Kaya pala ang laki ng kita ng GMA eh, Dami nila katkong
pano wala na silang pambayad kase di naman kumikita yung show kakaunti yung endorsement nila ok lang yun number 1 naman daw sila
Mapanirang post lang galing sa admin. am sure maka ebak to. hahaha.
This is not always the case. Some remain to be happy being a talent. In fact, others resign because they want to be a talent than a regular employee. In case of video editors, many regular employees resign because they want a higher pay. For regular employees, no matter how many shows they edit, they are paid even below what is expected. Talent editors, on the other hand, are paid either per show or per segment. If they want to earn more, they just need to earn the trust of the different shows so they have multiple shows to edit. Some can earn more than a hundred thousand per month, yes, for talent video editors and not the regular talent editors. Some talents prefer to stay that way as they can earn more if they want to.
The scenario is like this, it is up to you if you want to be regular or not. You can apply to the company if you want to be a regular employee. Although pay is not as big as talents, you are sure to have benefits.
And please don’t be misled. The three giant networks have talents. ABS-CBN don’t have regular video editors. All are talents. TV5, like GMA, have regular employees and talents, as well.
In case of directors, some prefer not to be regular so they can jump from one network to the other. It is the reason why talents exist.
This is just to be clear.
Thank you MS JEAN! Now i know well!
kakadiri naman yan walangya yan mc. donalad nayan
I think the author always published news against GMA , GMA is not the only company exercising these kind of policy and work procedures, many companies are doing this, try to interview also those workers and talent of other network, they almost have same employment status I think . I am previously work in one of the biggest company in the Philippines and there are so many contractual and also same situations like this.the solutions is not depend in the company but depends with themeselves, company has their own reason to protect and if you are not happy with the job and not satisfy with what you got, resign and look for other opportunity.It’s a matter of choice.Companies are there to earn money not to do kawang gawa alone, they have Investor and shareholders and that is business.
sana ma work out yan..nakaka sad kasi Kapuso network e sana MAY PUSO naman sa ganitong matters..I am a long time admirer of Kapuso network way back pa..kasi feel ko lahat fair sa GMA network..station competitions, shows etc..di sila bumibili ng trophy..pero sana e sa workers nila e ma break ung policy ng contractualizations or per call basis, since sila naman nag la-labor sa mga shows at nag be-benifit ang GMA sa good labor ng mga taong ito e reconsider to give them security of tenure and reg. pay..nasasayang ung presentation ni ATTY. Felipe Gozon sa pag air na kumikita GMA pero nagsa-suffer pala ang mga tao who works behind sa camera at sa mga offices nila..what a contradiction po yata..sana do what you preached and remain with your slogan..kapusong totoo..serbisyong totoo..sana pati mga employees e totoo at fair po naman sana ang treatment sa job nila at compensation..treasure those who labored para mapataas ang good reputations ng mga GMA shows with the effort and expertise ng mga taong ito who stand with you side by side..oo madali sabihin na ireplace sila..pero it will take more years to honed that person with the caliber and expertise of those workers you axed because their cry is not pleasing on your stand..maybe it is time to sit down and listen and reconsider..what if kayo naman sa place nila? d po ba? fortunate you are the opposite but what if you are now in their shoes?..what will you do? and what will you stand for?..will it be the same as theirs?..sana truly may puso ang Kapuso network sa mga tao nila.. para ma-feel nila ..This Is Where We Belong..at GMA!!! with pride in their hearts and can walk head up high because their station is truly with a BIG HEART..a KAPUSONG TOTOO SA MGA WORKERS…opinion lng po GMA wag po magagalit..at papangit…salamuch po!!!
NAKAKALUNGKOT isipin na may ganyang ‘practice’ na umiiral sa ‘ KAPUSO ‘ network … Isa ako sa nag patronize sa nabangit na tv network…I even give my contribution to the Kapuso Foundation dahil sa paniniwala na ‘ kapuso ‘ nga. Sana magkaroon ng solution ang ganitong usapin sa loob ng kanilang ‘bakuran’ , mabigyan ng tugon ang hinaing ng mga naglabas ng saloobin at ‘wag bigyan ng masamang treatment or tanggalin sa trabaho kung sakali na ‘mabago’ na ang ganitong ‘practice’ KUNG totoo man…
The admin of this page don’t know what she is posting….I’m just wondering why she always attacking GMA Network. Bakit dahil hindi namin tinanggap ang application mo as one of our resident writers? Gumaganti ka ba Joy Adalia and now na nasa ABSCBN ka na ginagamit mo ito for a personal purpose? I’m sorry but make some research first kasi hindi ikaw ang napapahiya dito kundi ang ABSCBN Network knowing na maraming nakakakilala sa iyong mga writers. Alam mo ang dahilan bakit hindi ka namin tinanggap aside from the morality issue and controversy na kinasangkutan mo few years ago. Think first girl