One-stop shops for displaced workers pushed

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is pushing for the creation of one-stop shops where laid-off workers can easily claim separation insurance, apply for skills retooling, and seek reemployment facilitation.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel on Monday urged the Social Security System (SSS), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and local government units (LGUs) to work together and put up the one-stop shops.

“Government must provide physical locations plus a customized website where displaced workers can get all the help that they need from multiple agencies under one roof in just one stop,” Pimentel said in a statement.

“It pains us to see dismissed workers transacting tediously with multiple agencies to avail of assistance,” he added.

Pimentel said SSS provides unemployment insurance to all covered members who are involuntarily separated from their jobs due to retrenchment or downsizing, closure or cessation of operation, or redundancy.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker said PESO provides job referral and placement services while TESDA provides skill. upgrading services to help displaced workers find new jobs or self-employment opportunities.

Pimentel made the call as he warned of more job losses in the coming months, especially in the banking and tourism industries.

He cited cases of banks streamlining operations and hotels closing due to the pandemic. 

“The bigger banks, in particular, might start reducing their headcount this year, once they get a better estimation of their bad loans,” Pimentel said.

“There’s no question the post-pandemic banking landscape will involve fewer brick-and-mortar branches, with more Filipinos performing transactions online,” he added.

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