[ Manila Bulletin Online ] February 7, 2009
By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO
Workers employed in export processing zones (EPZs) in the Calabarzon region appear to be the most affected by the global financial crisis with the displacement of 7,251 Filipinos and the reduced working hours for 13,957 more.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) yesterday, the number of those who lost their jobs in Calabarzon comprised 20 percent of the 40,000 retrenched workers due to the impact of the economic downturn.
DoLE based its report on data from regional office in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces of Region IV-A where some 2,038 companies closed down as a result of serious financial losses.
As of January 19, DoLE said the number of affected workers were reportedly highest from the electronic and garment sectors in Cavite with 17,252, followed by 13,717 employed in Laguna-based manufacturing companies.
These workers were either subjected to layoffs or forced to reduce their working hours through the compressed work-week scheme.
Some firms in Calabarzon region also resorted to rotation of workers.
As this developed, the DoLE has activated a local and global hotline (632) 527-4337 for the benefit of workers affected by the global financial crisis.
It also set up "Help Desks" in the regions to facilitate the delivery of assistance and services to workers.
DoLE has allotted R402.852 million for the employment assistance package for displaced workers who may avail themselves of skills retooling, training, job referrals and other services.
"The vital hotline is for the purpose of responding to all pertinent queries from all sectors on available assistance, along with ongoing interventions under the supervision of the DoLE’s Task Force," Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said.
Roque said that in 2008, the country’s labor market remained resilient, with nationwide employment expanding by 1.6 percent or a net addition of 530,000 employed persons in the labor force. (Raymund F. Antonio)
_______________________________________________________________________