DOLE gives P2.4 million for livelihood projects

Cebu - The Department of Labor and Employment turned over a check worth P2.4 million yesterday to workers from six companies as funds for their proposed livelihood programs.

Those who received the aid were from companies that have been greatly affected by the global financial crisis like furniture, electronics and other manufacturing companies.

Giving out of livelihood funds is part of DOLE’s programs in augmenting the livelihood of employees who have been retrenched from their jobs. Those who want to seek assistance from the department need to group themselves into a union and pass their business proposal.

DOLE undersecretary Lourdes Melicor-Trasmonte said before the turnover of funds, that they will be monitoring the progress of the business and how it will be helping the displaced employees.

“It is really not that easy to help all the displaced employees but we are doing everything we can to help,” Trasmonte said.

The P2.4 million was divided between five groups from Mandaue City and one from Talisay City.

Cristopher Basut, who has worked nine years as an employee of a furniture company in Mandaue City, said that they were grateful for DOLE’s help because they have not been getting a lot of orders from abroad.

Most of the unions that asked for aid were made up of factory and office workers and production employees. — AJ de la Torre/BRP (THE FREEMAN)