BONGBONG MARCOS CALLS FOR PROBE ON PLIGHT OF COMELEC WORKERS IN LAGUNA

VICE Presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. has called for an investigation on the alleged non-payment of wages and substandard working conditions of workers at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warehouse in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Marcos made the statement after he received reports that more than a hundred Comelec employees have gone on strike over the weekend, citing poor working conditions and not receiving compensation.

"We've received word that workers in Comelec have been poorly treated. This should be investigated immediately, and if proven true, should be resolved the soonest possible time," Marcos said.

The workers at the Comelec warehouse were in the production and dispatch of more 90,000 vote-counting machines for the May 9 elections.

Reports showed that workers at the Comelec warehouse held a noise barrage last March 31 after they were not paid their wages from the contractor of technology provider Smartmatic with many of them refusing to go to work on April 1.

The workers were also reportedly complaining of substandard working conditions because of poor ventilation in the warehouse.

While the workers later on reportedly received their wages, Marcos said the incident is a very serious matter which Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista should look into.

"This should be looked into by no less than the Comelec Chairman. Our election workers should be treated well because their roles are crucial in the conduct of elections. They do not deserve such kind of treatment," he stressed.