DOLE remains proactive in aiding laid-off workers

To offset the negative impacts of the current global economic meltdown that has resulted to world-wide retrenchment of workers from different industry, a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Visayas official said that they remain proactive in creating programs that will benefit displaced workers.

“The unemployment rate at this stage of global economic crisis has become so alarming because of the negative prophecies that the worst is yet to come. But by remaining proactive we hope to minimize the impacts of the recession and implement programs that will help displaced workers to cope up,” said DOLE region 7 director Elias A. Cayanong in the recent 888 News Forum.

Cayanong said that the previous surveys which showed an alarming number of retrenchments in the region contrasted with their report and he asked all sectors to coordinate and help each other in facing the burden brought about by the crisis instead of “rocking the boat when it’s still floating.”

The regional director said that here in Cebu there are sectors who could be considered as losers and gainers in these times of crisis.

He said that manufacturing, export and electronics is really down at this point but industries such as business process outsourcing, tourism and construction remains upbeat and serves as the “safety net” that lessens the impact o global crisis here in Cebu.

“Some sectors are “haemorrhaging” because their market demands have been affected as lifestyles of people from the West has been changed by the crisis but call centers, tourism and construction are still moving and Central Visayas has been very resilient. The important thing is really to maintain employment instead of direct retrenchments,” said Cayanong.

At these times of hardships and economic volatility, it’s a good opportunity for us to unite ourselves in facing challenges, Cayanong pointed out.

He also urged stakeholders from the region’s hospitality industry to continue bringing in manpower to their sector to also generate more employment.

Cayanong said that for this year, DOLE was given P22.5 million budget to help displaced workers avail of government programs that will enhance and develop their skills so that they will be trained to be transferred to other industries which are still doing good.

He said that together with other government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, Overseas Workers Welfare Association and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, their agency are rolling out programs and advocacies that will train displaced workers to generate self employment, which is very essential in today’s hard times.

He said that so far, most of their beneficiaries who have availed of their skills enhancement training and livelihood facilitation programs came from the rural communities.

Cayanong announced that they will be undertaking special recruitment activities that will benefit displaced workers from affected industries.

The special recruitment this January 31 will be held in Lapu-Lapu addressing the displaced workers of MEPZ zones while this February 31 will be held in Mandaue which will focus on the displaced workers of furniture exporting companies based in the area.

“We are aiming to be proactive to assure everyone that we are still on top of the situation we are just requesting everyone to bare with us,” he stressed.