March 6, 2009
Press Release

For Reference: Leona Entena (0910-6660574)
Vice-Chairperson for Luzon - Gabriela Women's Party

Retrench Roque, Fire GMA! Southern Tagalog Women Workers Protest to Stop Lay-offs and Retrenchment

Women workers led by Gabriela ST and the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan marched to the Department of Labor and Employment today calling on the Arroyo government to take immediate action against the spate of retrenchments especially in the Southern Tagalog region.

Data collated by the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan Souther Tagalog ang PAMANTIK reveal that in Laguna and Cavite, at least 35,000 workers have lost their jobs beginning in January of 2009 alone while some 40,000 more are being subjected to flexible labor schemes and practices like reduced work hours, forced leaves and early retirement, all resulting to massive joblessness in the region. It is estimated that for every 100 workers that are laid off, 70 to 80 among them are women.

"What we need are jobs in the face of this worsening economic and financial crisis. We do not need a government that connives with manufacturers, capitalists and foreign investors in passing o0n the burde on this crisis to the workers. By allowing these flexible labor practices, the DOLE and the Arroyo government is revealing its anti-worker character," said Leona Entena, Gabriela Women's Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon and GABRIELA Laguna chairperson.

"More than the workers, it is Mrs. Arroyo and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque who should be laid off and retrenched. They have not done their job to protect and uphold the interest of workers. Their continued stay in their offices is a waste of people's money."

Gabriela Southern Tagalog
Gabriela Silang Multi-Purpose Building,
Sitio Bagong Silang, Brgy.Sala,
Cabuyao, Laguna