LRT-1 operator defers retrenchment of workers

MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has deferred the retrenchment of Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) workers, after initially announcing that it would be terminating the contracts of 100 employees of the train line.

“While the factual basis behind the redundancy program remains legally valid, LRMC is putting it on hold, for now, to allow the company to recalibrate strategies and continue supporting team members and government partners as long as it can,” LRMC, the private consortium managing the train line, said in a statement Thursday.

According to LRMC, the Department of Transportation has also pledged support to the corporation and vowed to find solutions to support its employees during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which saw the decline in the line’s ridership amid lockdowns.

“The Light Rail Manila Corporation has always remained committed to protecting the safety and well-being of its people. We continue to work with our shareholders on strengthening our company and engaging in dialogues with the government,” it added.

The termination of 100 employees, mostly technicians, and tellers who make up about 10 percent of the train line’s total workforce, would have been made effective on September 15.

LRMC added that it will also conduct a swab test from August 14 to 19 for all of its railway employees, as part of its preparations for the resumption of train services once the modified enhanced community quarantine is lifted in Metro Manila.

Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan and Laguna were placed under MECQ until August 18.

/MUF