Palace vows assistance to Ford workers

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Malacañang on Thursday vowed to assist workers who will be displaced by the expected shutdown of Ford’s manufacturing operations in the country.

Edwin Lacierda, President Benigno Aquino’s spokesperson, said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has formed a quick response team to ensure the affected employees get their full separation benefits.

Lacierda said the government would also be helping the affected employees move forward if the manufacturing stoppage pushes through.

“If they wish to work in the same industry, we will be looking for employment for them. If they wish to look for another industry and that would require retraining of their skills, Tesda will be there to provide the retraining,” Lacierda said in Thursday’s news briefing in Malacañang.

“And, also, if assuming some of them would receive a substantial or hefty separation benefits and they would wish to go into business, [the Department of Trade and Industry] would be there to help them in developing their entrepreneurial skills,” he added.

Lacierda, nonetheless, said the DOLE has yet to receive a notice of closure from Ford, whose executives said would continue its sales dealerships in the country even after the end of its manufacturing operations.

“Since we’ve been informed we already are making plans ahead of time, ahead of the notice of closure to ensure that we can assist the potentially displaced employees,” Lacierda said.