MANILA, Philippines – Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said the Aquino government was only continuing the faulty employment policies of the previous administration.
In a press statement, KMU said the effects of the “faulty employment policies” were now being seen as around 1.4 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia are in danger of losing their jobs.
Saudi is implementing a Saudization program which will prioritize their locals for employment. KMU said that this policy will worsen the state of unemployment in the country.
“We have long been calling for the junking of the government’s labor export policy,” said KMU Secretary-General Roger Soluta.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier estimated that around 20,000-50,000 Filipinos in Saudi may lose their jobs.
But Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said today that OFWs affected by the Saudization policy will be able to go to other countries.
Lacierda added that the government wants to ensure that the OFWs’ rights will be protected, and that they will be able to get good jobs.
For Soluta, however, the government’s solution will not be enough.
“Only a government policy of nationalist industrialization and genuine agrarian reform will solve the country’s chronic unemployment problem,” Soluta said.
In a press statement, KMU said the effects of the “faulty employment policies” were now being seen as around 1.4 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia are in danger of losing their jobs.
Saudi is implementing a Saudization program which will prioritize their locals for employment. KMU said that this policy will worsen the state of unemployment in the country.
“We have long been calling for the junking of the government’s labor export policy,” said KMU Secretary-General Roger Soluta.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier estimated that around 20,000-50,000 Filipinos in Saudi may lose their jobs.
But Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said today that OFWs affected by the Saudization policy will be able to go to other countries.
Lacierda added that the government wants to ensure that the OFWs’ rights will be protected, and that they will be able to get good jobs.
For Soluta, however, the government’s solution will not be enough.
“Only a government policy of nationalist industrialization and genuine agrarian reform will solve the country’s chronic unemployment problem,” Soluta said.
