Permanently temporary: A narrative study on cyclic contractual workers

• Main Authors: Bernardo, John Francis M., Maghirang, Arvin Jae G., Recto, Carlos Miguel M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2014
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/18095
• Institution: De La Salle University

A Filipino worker whos is low-skilled and is under the low socioeconomic status bracket is more likely to enter blue-collared temporary employment in a cyclical manner. The aim of this study is to present the narratives of contractual workers to understand how they construct their reality in temporary employment. The researchers interviewed six contractual employees who are currently working in retail stores. Narrative was utilized to analyze the data gathered from the interview. 'Diskarte' of employees in temporary employment and Emergence of Feelings of Discouragement and Forced Acceptance are the two subordinate themes in the narratives of contractual employees. Contractual employees gain knowledge and experience as they jump from one contract to another. As a result, employees have formed and mastered different strategies to control their situation as a contractual worker. Despite their familiarity with the entire process of temporary employment, most employers still disregard their work experiences and are focused more on the educational credentials of applicants during the application phase. Contractual employees, who generally are low-skilled individuals, are therefore discouraged as they are limited to only few job opportunities. Regardless of what kind of work it may be, employees have no choice but to accept available jobs as it is the only way to provide for the family and at the same time to avoid unemployment.