Thousands of ABS CBN workers fear of losing their jobs

By Leslie Ann Aquino

Defend Job Philippines reiterated its call to President Duterte to save the jobs of the thousands of workers of ABS CBN by granting a fresh 25-year franchise to the TV network giant.

The labor group issued the appeal following the latest remark of the President that he will not sign a legislative franchise for ABS CBN. The network’s legislative franchise will expire on March 30, 2020.

Since 2018, President Duterte has been vocal on his claims of the supposed failure of ABS-CBN to air his presidential campaign advertisements in 2016, and the company’s alleged political bias.

“Being vital in operating for the next 25 years, the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN will save the jobs and source of livelihood of more than 10,000 Filipino workers and their families,” Christian Lloyd Magsoy, spokesperson of Defend Job Philippines, said in a statement.

Magsoy added: Politics and personal ires of our politicians must be set aside for the sake of the looming loss of employment and livelihood of the Filipino working force. Our workers must not be made hostage and victimized of any political actions of the government.

The group urged Duterte to just resolve his rift with the ABS-CBN management in proper venues.

“President Duterte should rethink his threat to veto the franchise of ABS-CBN and let the company smoothly operate for the sake of its workers,” Magsoy said.

The labor leader also appealed to lawmakers to set aside political patronage.

“Members of the Upper and Lower House of the 18th Congress should set aside politics and political patronage system in voting for the said measure (and) think of the benefit of the thousands of workers, employees, and talents, who are relying on the said broadcast media company,” said Magsoy.

Meanwhile, Alan Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions Trade Union Congress of the Philippines revealed that around 5,000 ABS-CBN employees who are working at the national and regional networks are deeply worried about the future of their jobs and the source of their livelihood in case President Duterte turns down the renewal of the network’s franchise to operate.

“Some of them came to me and said they are seriously worried every day about losing their jobs. Particularly worried are those employees who are above 35 years old who think they might be unable to get decent jobs because they think they are old and past age qualifications,” he said in a separate statement.

“Some are worried of what will happen to their families who will also be financially affected once they lose their jobs. Some of the employees future plans are on hold, and some are trying to save their salary,” added Tanjusay.

“But all of them are very worried whether the ABS CBN management will respect and honor their obligations and responsibilities under the labor laws and pay them their separation wages and benefits because some of them have worked in the network for several decades,” he said.

According to Defend Job Philippines, the TV network employs 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular workers and more than 3,325 talents since the end of 2018 citing the company’s report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and Philippine Stocks Exchange.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/04/thousands-of-abs-cbn-workers-fear-of-losing-their-jobs/