More than 100 Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT-1) workers will lose their jobs as the ridership of the train line declined following the Metro Manila coronavirus lockdown.
This was affirmed Tuesday by the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), and its spokesman, Jackie Gorospe, told reporters that the number of employees that would be retrenched represents 20 percent of the company’s total workforce in a LRT-1.
“It is with great disappointment that LRMC announces its workforce reduction due to a substantial 90 percent decrease in ridership caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” LRMC said in a statement.
LRMC Scaled-Down Its Operations
Amid the imposition of strict community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LRMC said it scaled down its operations and suspended some projects.
LRMC said its staff reduction will take effect next month.
“This decision went through multiple levels of approvals involving the LRMC Senior Management Committee, in close consultation with LRMC’s employee union. The right-sizing program will take effect on September 15, 2020,” LRMC said.
LRMC also assured displaced workers would benefit.
“To support and take care of affected employees, each employee will receive his/her rightful benefits under the law. And also, even above what is in the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement. On top of this, LRMC has partnered with Xcelarator Talent Solutions. Further, it aims to assist affected members on livelihood and investing wisely,” it said.
Public transport, including railway operations, was again suspended. It was after the government restoring modified enhanced community quarantine in five regions. They were at Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan from August 4 to August 18.
Mass transit was first halted until the end of May. It was because of the government implemented a Luzon. Furthermore, it was a wide ECQ with the most stringent lockdowns. In addition, it was also in the midst of an outbreak of coronavirus in the region.
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