Grant offers hope to displaced workers

At least 700 of the more than 2,000 garment workers who lost their jobs after a fire gutted their factory here last year have seen hope anew in a sewing project to support their families.

Twelve women members of Smart Shirts Philippines Inc. Workers Union are pioneering the venture through a P581,000 grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said Ludynela Hamor, union president.

After receiving the funds from Raymundo Agravante, DOLE regional director, on April 28, Hamor said union officials and members deposited the money in a bank and looked for sewing machines. They converted a house that the union is renting into a sewing shop in the Madapdap resettlement in nearby Mabalacat City.

“We intend to make shirts, blouses and shorts, and sell these or take subcontracts [from garments companies] to create more jobs for our members,” Hamor said. “We have to start somewhere.”

Other Smart Shirts workers have either found jobs here and abroad, remained unemployed or have been waiting for job calls.

Smart Shirts began operating in Clark in February 2003. Before closing, its management gave its workers separation pay and tax refunds.

Some P25 million worth of equipment and textiles were damaged when fire hit the company’s factory in May. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon