THOUSANDS of workers and their families may not just lose jobs but be physically uprooted after the court placed Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) Inc. under receivership, according to the Federation of Free Workers (FFW).
Cainglet also said that currently, there is no solid plan for the workers who will be displaced, especially now that there is talk among the workers that the company will be closed.
“The biggest problem is where we can transfer these workers. Apart from this, there is also the issue on whether they will be given separation packages that will be sufficient while they find other sources of livelihood,” Cainglet said.
“There may be a big demand [for these workers] but where to find this demand, these factories and shipyards, is a concern. If these workers had transferred to Subic and invested in their life there, what will happen if the next available shipyard is in Davao, for example, or Cagayan de Oro and Cebu? They will be forced to uproot their families and that in itself entails a lot of costs,” he added.
In order to avoid these problems, Cainglet said there are two options presented by Nagkaisa labor coalition. The first involves a state takeover where the government can work closely with the worker’s union.
Under this takeover, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the labor union will come up with the best way to operate the facility.
The second option, Cainglet said, is for the government to negotiate with shipbuilders located in countries that have no security concerns or territorial disputes with the Philippines.
He apparently meant China, as news broke that two Chinese companies were interested in the Hanjin shipyard. Former Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama had said the Philippines should consider the security implications of allowing the Chinese to get a foothold in Zambales.
Meanwhile, the noncontroversial firms that could be considered are in countries like Norway or the Netherlands. Cainglet said the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) can serve as a way to reach out to these governments.
“I think it will complement our economic and peace advocacies,” Cainglet said.
On Tuesday, the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) placed Hanjin under receivership to start a court-supervised rehabilitation program for the Subic Bay Freeport-based shipbuilder.
The South Korean company filed a petition before the court on January 8 to initiate voluntary rehabilitation under Republic Act 10142, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises and Individuals,” after it reportedly suffered insolvency due to a slump in the global shipbuilding industry.
It sought court relief from creditors as it struggled with at least $412 million owed to five of the country’s biggest banks.
SOURCES:
businessmirror.com.ph: Moving to new shipyards will uproot Hanjin workers, families–labor coalition
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| FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet |
In the Wednesday Roundtable at Lido, FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet said it may also be difficult for these workers to find jobs elsewhere, given that many of them are skilled workers who specialize in shipbuilding.
Cainglet also said that currently, there is no solid plan for the workers who will be displaced, especially now that there is talk among the workers that the company will be closed.
“The biggest problem is where we can transfer these workers. Apart from this, there is also the issue on whether they will be given separation packages that will be sufficient while they find other sources of livelihood,” Cainglet said.
“There may be a big demand [for these workers] but where to find this demand, these factories and shipyards, is a concern. If these workers had transferred to Subic and invested in their life there, what will happen if the next available shipyard is in Davao, for example, or Cagayan de Oro and Cebu? They will be forced to uproot their families and that in itself entails a lot of costs,” he added.
Government takeover?
In order to avoid these problems, Cainglet said there are two options presented by Nagkaisa labor coalition. The first involves a state takeover where the government can work closely with the worker’s union.
Under this takeover, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the labor union will come up with the best way to operate the facility.
The second option, Cainglet said, is for the government to negotiate with shipbuilders located in countries that have no security concerns or territorial disputes with the Philippines.
He apparently meant China, as news broke that two Chinese companies were interested in the Hanjin shipyard. Former Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama had said the Philippines should consider the security implications of allowing the Chinese to get a foothold in Zambales.
Meanwhile, the noncontroversial firms that could be considered are in countries like Norway or the Netherlands. Cainglet said the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) can serve as a way to reach out to these governments.
“I think it will complement our economic and peace advocacies,” Cainglet said.
On Tuesday, the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) placed Hanjin under receivership to start a court-supervised rehabilitation program for the Subic Bay Freeport-based shipbuilder.
The South Korean company filed a petition before the court on January 8 to initiate voluntary rehabilitation under Republic Act 10142, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises and Individuals,” after it reportedly suffered insolvency due to a slump in the global shipbuilding industry.
It sought court relief from creditors as it struggled with at least $412 million owed to five of the country’s biggest banks.
SOURCES:
businessmirror.com.ph: Moving to new shipyards will uproot Hanjin workers, families–labor coalition
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