Over 100 RPN workers laid-off

CEBU, Philippines - At least four Cebu-based employees of the Radio Philippines Network (RPN) are affected in the mass retrenchment program of the network.

The RPN management is initiating the mass layoff but is allegedly providing separation packages to the over 100 affected employees nationwide. The retrenchment will take effect on November 15.

This move is meant to ease and give relief to its employees and to resolve certain issues, RPN said in an official statement.

The statement stated: “For decades RPN 9 has always been faced with financial challenges. RPN could not compete with the rest of the industry. To keep its obligations, RPN management had struggled to raise funds needed to continue its operations and pay its employees regularly, using current revenue streams and borrowings, but to no avail. This unsustainable situation has resulted in years of unpaid debts and continuing financial losses.”

The affected employees were already given the termination notice. Emigdio Bustillo, RPN Employees Union’s Steward in Cebu, said that there were four of them in Cebu that issued notices of termination.

 “Gidiritso ra mi og gipang-terminate. Na shock na lang mi. Wa mi kahibalo nganong gi-terminate mi pero ang among duda towards privatization na ni ( We were shocked to receive the notice of termination because we were not warned ahead of time. We believe that this is already leading towards privatization,” said Bustillo.

Bustillo said they are planning to file an illegal termination against the management. He however admitted that there is still an ongoing negotiation between the management and the union officials.

Pending the negotiation, Bustillo said they received instruction to go back to work starting today.

RPN currently operates seven television stations and 11 radio stations, and is owned by Solar, Far East Managers and Investors Inc. (FEMII), and the government.—(FREEMAN)