NUJP blasts ‘heartless’ mass retrenchment of GMA Network workers

THE National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) on Monday slammed the mass retrenchment of about 200 employees of a giant media company.

In a statement, NUJP said that the retrenchment, which GMA Network implemented in order to “strategically streamline” operations in the regions, was “callous” and “heartless.”

“For a network that prides itself as ‘Kapuso,’ the GMA-7 management heartlessly laid off hundreds of employees without sufficient warning,” the statement read.

The journalist group also said that there is no reason for the network to lay off employees as the company “is not in the brink of bankruptcy.”

“GMA-7 is not in the red. It is not bleeding. It reported a net income of P1.01 billion in 2014 and at least a billion pesos yearly in 2012 and 2013. Based on a compensation filing made by the network, its top five executives received a total of P141.716 million last year. The hundreds of regional employees who will lose their jobs, unfortunately, do not enjoy the same,” NUJP said.

NUJP said that the fate of the former GMA Network employees could happen to anyone in the media industry.

“We stand with our colleagues who lost their jobs. What happened to them can happen to any media worker in the country who despite our noble profession, many continue to be treated as dispensable pawns,” it said.

Last Friday, GMA Network announced that it would implement a retrenchment in all of its regional stations. According to earlier reports, more than 200 personnel will be affected.

The move will also downgrade all of its regional stations except Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Dagupan as “satellite selling stations.”

“We call on our colleagues to close ranks and defend our rights and welfare and defend the dignity of journalists and the press,” NUJP said.

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