RETRENCH ROQUE, FIRE GMA! SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN WORKERS PROTEST TO STOP LAY-OFFS AND RETRENCHMENT
Posted by gabrielatk on March 6, 2009
RETRENCH ROQUE, FIRE GMA!
SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN WORKERS PROTEST TO STOP LAY-OFFS AND RETRENCHMENT
Women workers led by Gabriela ST and the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan marched to the Department of Labor and Employment today calling on the Arroyo government to take immediate action against the spate of retrenchments especially n the Southern Tagalog region.
Data collated by the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan Southern Tagalog and PAMANTIK reveal that in Laguna and Cavite, at least 35,000 workers have lost their jobs beginning in January of 2009 alone while some 40,000 more are being subjected to flexible labor schemes and practices like reduced work hours, forced leaves and early retirement, all resulting to massive joblessness in the region. It is estimated that for every 100 workers that are laid off, 70 to 80 among them are women.
“What we need are jobs in the face of this worsening economic and financial crisis. We do not need a government that connives with manufacturers, capitalists and foreign investors in passing on the burden of this crisis to the workers. By allowing these flexible labor practices, the DOLE and the Arroyo government is revealing its anti-worker character,” said Leona Entena Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon and GABRIELA Laguna chairperson.
‘More than the workers, it is Mrs. Arroyo and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque who should be laid off and retrenched! They have not done their job to protect and uphold the interests of workers. Their continued stay in their offices is a waste of people’s money.”
For Reference: Leona Entena (09106660574)
Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon
GABRIELA Laguna chairperson
