Arroyo gov't responsible for severing job crisis – KMU

From running away from reality to running away from responsibility

Arroyo gov't responsilble for severing job crisis – KMU

"The hard-headedness and delusions of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Department of Labor Secretary are to blame for the massive retrenchments we experience now."

KMU Spokesperson Prestoline Suyat lambasted Arroyo and her government officials who insisted last year that the country will not be affected by the global financial crisis and that job security is assured.

"After stubbornly asserting that the Philippines is safe from the global financial crisis, and boasting that the country has strong economic fundamentals, the DOLE now announces that 200,000 workers will be retrenchment for the fist half of the year. If the Arroyo administration had accepted and faced this long ago, less workers could have been laid off and real support could have been given to the retrenched workers and their families," Suyat said.

Suyat also slammed DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque's espousal of reduced work hours and work shifts effected now by many companies as excuse to prevent lay-offs.

"It is alarming that Sec. Roque doesn't see any problem with the massive reduction of work hours and shifts, which clearly translates to reduction of workers' pay.

"Workers bring home lesser and lesser to their families amid the soaring prices of LPG due to an artificial supply shortage shemed by big oil companies, and the impending price spikes in world oil prices," added Suyat.

He also said that the massive retrenchments are a great slap in the face of Arroyo after she declared in her 2004 SONA that job generation will be her centerpiece program until 2010.

"Since 2004, Arroyo has never reached her target of generating 1 million jobs every year. Filipinos are forced to migrate due to lack of job opportunities in our country. It is time to avert from labor export policy, and ensure jobs at home instead. Local businesses should also be supported instead of multi-national corporations who get all the privilege from the Arroyo government," Suyat ended.