The study focuses on exploring the different aspects surrounding the employment of job orders (JOs) and contract of service (COS) workers in the government, particularly on their working conditions including their rights at work and present situation. It provides a discussion on various laws, rules and regulations that affects process of hiring and selection and supervision of the abovementioned class of workers. In order to collect relevant and timely data and information that could serve as valuable inputs for the study in drawing a clear picture of the present setting of the condition of job orders and contract of service workers, the researcher conducted a self-administered survey to JOs and COS workers employed in selected national government agencies followed by a brief focused group discussion on their answers.

The results of the survey have led to the following findings: (1) there are different driving forces and/or motivations why an individual applied as JO or COS worker, although he or she possessed the appropriate qualifications set by laws, nevertheless, becoming a regular employee and a civil servant remains the main goal of the respondents; (2) their entitlement to social security benefits are due to their self-initiative (i.e. voluntary contribution); (3) the services they provide to their respective employers are essential in the provision of public services to stakeholders – this is due to the fact that most of them have their contract renewed multiple times; and (4) regardless of their employment arrangement, they perceived themselves as ‘job orders.’ Hence, the study recommends that there should be initiatives which could help JO, COS workers, and other temporary workers in the government to secure a full and productive regular employment. Their entitlement to social protection benefits must be taken into consideration, and their services must be given due recognition by the government.
Keywords: Contract of Service Workers, Job Orders, Social Justice, Self-determination

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Title: EXPLORING THE CASE OF JOB ORDERS AND CONTRACT OF SERVICE WORKERS IN THE GOVERNMENT
Researcher: IVAN CASSIDY F. VILLENA