50 workers laid off daily in RP

The Philippine Star 09/10/2005

More workers are being laid off this year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.

Data from the Bureau of Employment Statistics showed a daily average of 50 workers or a total of 4,569 were retrenched in the first months of the year.

The figure is 40 percent higher than the 2,721 who were laid off during the same period last year.

It includes 1,232 returning overseas Filipino workers who had sought the assistance of the DOLE’s Public Employment Office in looking for jobs.

However, DOLE officials said the government is exerting efforts to stop further retrenchment, and is facilitating new employment for them.

Ricardo Martinez, DOLE-National Capital Region director, said his office has assisted 450 displaced workers in receiving their P252 million in separation pay and other financial benefits.

"Through the Quick Response team, DOLE has intervened with the employers of the displaced workers to facilitate the payment of the workers’ separation benefits," he said.

The DOLE will intervene to facilitate the payment of separation pay, and search for new jobs or alternate livelihood for displaced workers, he added. — Mayen Jaymalin

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