DOLE to offer livelihood assistance for retrenched PAL employees

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will offer livelihood assistance to interested employees of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) who will be retrenched in mid-March.

The DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) office will “handle the situation,” according to Rolly Francia, director of the department’s Information and Publication Service.

In a Viber message to reporters on Thursday, he said the DOLE-NCR will ensure the payment of separation pay, provide employment facilitation services, and offer livelihood assistance to interested employees.

Further details on the said livelihood assistance have yet to be disclosed by DOLE.

Meanwhile, Francia also said that PAL should notify DOLE and affected workers 30 days prior to the effectivity of the employment termination.

These measures were finalized following a meeting between PAL officials and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello on Wednesday.

PAL is set to cut 2,300 jobs in mid-March, citing fewer flights and prevailing travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.