DAVAO CITY – The recent mass layoff of GMA network employees violated the workers’ rights to due process, a labor group said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kilusang Mayo Uno said they condemn the mass layoff of hundreds of employees on some of GMA network’s regional stations. Around 290 employees and talents were reportedly laid off.
“Clearly, this act was done hastily, violating workers’ right to due process, all in the name of the management’s “strategic streamlining” efforts to rake in more profits and up the station’s ratings,” Carlo Olalo, KMU spokesperson said.
Olalo said the network’s move was baseless given its financial standing.
“GMA Network reported a net income P1.01 billion in 2014 and is definitely far from bleeding dry of profits. The mass layoff is clearly an abuse of the exercise of the management prerogative to do, as it will without regard for the dignity and welfare of the workers affected,” Olalo said.
Olalo said the incident shows how the country’s labor framework is skewed against the interests of the workers. The mass layoff of TV reporters and staff came just a few days before the International Labor Day.
“By carrying out this mass layoff, the Kapuso Network has shown where its heart truly lies – for profits, above all,” Olalo said.
Olalo said they are sympathizing with hundreds of employees and their families who now face uncertainties.
“Media workers are beset with various labor issues such as the widespread practice of the “talent” system which is the concrete expression of contractualization in the media industry. The “talent” system prevents them from enjoying their rights as workers under the law, such as the right to form unions and the right to regular employment,” said Olalo.
He said that apart from job insecurity, media practitioners face imminent death in the exercise of their profession in a country considered to be the second most dangerous for journalists.
“The media industry has lost 32 of its comrades under the Aquino administration alone,” said Olalo.
“The Aquino administration’s record on labor smacks of utter neglect with record-high unemployment as well as accelerated implementation of neoliberal policies resulting to low wages, massive contractualization, job insecurity and trade union repression,” Olalo said.
Olalo said they are encouraging the GMA Network employees to unite their ranks and organize citing the success of the radio workers union of RMN Davao who staged a 43-day strike and “achieved a much-improved collective bargaining agreement.”
“We call on media workers and GMA Network employees to join other working people in their struggle to secure a living wage, job security, and the free exercise of their rights. We encourage them to join protest actions on Labor Day so that together, we can advance our unified interest in achieving improvements to our political and economic well-being as working people,” said Olalo. (davaotoday.com)
