ECONOMICS OF THE EMPLOYEES' UNIFORM

The IPGEA uniform controversy threatens to blow up in the faces of the proponents bent on railroading a deal with Manila based high priced fashion designers. The silent majority of the employees are grumbling and complaining about being called corrupt and of their rights are being trampled. We interviewed Ruben who said that the last time he had his uniform sewn, it had conformed with the specifications provided by IPGEA and that it turned out cheap because it was sewn by his tailor-friend in Janiuay. He said he bought the cloth in the store where the rest of the employees bought theirs and had it embroidered by an expert who based the design on the photocopy of the model placed on the bulletin board by the IPGEA. Despite being more than 10 years old and being worn once weekly, the uniform still looks decent and fits Ruben well. He said, he likes the fit and the comfort of the barong-uniform.

Like Ruben, I also had my own uniform sewn at almost the same time and it still looks good after all these years. Mine was sewn by Yardley which may have cost a bit more than the labor of Ruben's tailor-friend, but I don't mind paying for the little extra. I had always put a premium on sturdy and stylish tailoring since to my mind, I intend that my clothes would last a long time. But I saved a few hundred pesos on my pants since I waited for the sale at a nearby department store which cut good quality signature slacks at 50% price.

If we were to make estimates at present prices, the cloths for barong-uniforms will probably cost about P200.00 per cut and labor for sewing and embroidery will be at about P300.00 for regular tailors while the high priced tailors will probably charge P450.00. This means that at its cheapest, a barong-uniform will cost an employee at least P500.00 while pants can be bought ready-made for about P300.00. So for a set of tops and pants, the employee needs P800.00. Multiply that by 4 sets, the total would be P3,200.00. A savings of P800.00 for employees means about 25 kilograms of rice good for 2 weeks supply for a family of 6. It can also mean 4 kilos of family milk that can nourish 4 growing children for a month.

But how tempting would that uniform money be if somebody commissions a Manila-based high priced fashion designer to make all the uniforms for the 2,000 or so employees? At a conservative estimate of 5% finder's fee, that would mean P400,000.00, enough to pay for mini car like the Picanto or March with some money to spare. Or for a second hand SUV which can easily navigate through the constantly flooded streets of Iloilo City. Or even a spending spree in nearby Hong Kong!

So what gives? Is it really an issue of uniform vs. any-form? Is this deja vu for the nth time?

No amount of explanation or alibi can rationalize the act of forcibly requiring employees to sign over their uniform allowance so that they will be forced to agree to receive uniforms which may not even fit them well. What about their anticipation that even if they comply fully, they can still realize some savings which can be translated into food for their waiting families?

We will not allow this new dictator to dictate her wishes with regards to the uniform allowance. Let IPGEA issue the prescribed uniforms by publishing their specifications, detailing where cloths and embroidery can be acquired. Let us have the independence to choose where we want our uniform tailored. And let this issue come to rest. Commissioners please back off.