6,000 workers affected by slowdown of Japanese firms in Phl

MANILA, Philippines – Some 6,000 workers have been affected by the temporary closure and slowdown of several Japanese companies in the country.

Ricardo Martinez, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) office in CALABARZON, said 20 out of 404 Japanese-owned firms in the region were affected by strong earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan.

“Due to lack of raw materials sourced from Japan, these companies have opted to temporarily close down or adopt flexible working hours for their workers,” Martinez said.

He expressed optimism, however, that the employment setback would only last for two months.

“We see Japan being able to recover in two months so these companies would soon be able to source raw materials and continue to operate,” Martinez said.

He said the DOLE CALABARZON office has activated its Quick Reaction Team (QRTs) to provide assistance to displaced workers. The team is coordinating with government agencies to provide the workers discounts in prices of drugs and other commodities.

“We are adopting the same programs we have implemented during the financial crisis, but we are confident that the effects of the Japan disasters won’t be for a long time,” Martinez said.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said other Japanese firms operating in Central Luzon are also in danger of temporarily shutting down.

“We have no reports of displacements so far from these regions, but we are closely monitoring the situation so that could undertake appropriate measures,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Martinez said Ford Philippines conducted its annual maintenance shutdown earlier than scheduled. Three hundred of its employees were thus laid off for three weeks.

“But there is no truth that Ford has permanently closed down,” he said.–Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)