DOLE vows assistance to displaced contractuals

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assured that training and seminars will be provided to workers who may be displaced by Department Order 174 on Contracting and Subcontracting to “reshape and improve their skills.”

DOLE Undersecretary Dominador Say said they are prepared to accept and train workers from various industries to upgrade their skills and be qualified for other employment opportunities.

“We believe that the new DO 174 can affect small and medium enterprises or businesses and some workers will be displaced. With this in mind, we have initially prepared to retool or reshape their skills if they are willing so that they may still earn income to support their families,” he said.

Say had advised workers who may be displaced to visit the nearest DOLE offices to avail of the livelihood and skills training provided by the department and by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

He reiterated that all establishments, companies and employers should abide by the new order and observe general labor standards, particularly correct wages and benefits.

He added despite the displacement of workers, there are still larger manpower requirements on other sectors that need to be filled such as in business process outsourcing (BPO), construction and infrastructure, and in the healthcare sectors.

“We want to give them jobs and make them employable in other sectors. If there will be displaced workers, we have workforce allocation intended for them,” he said.

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