PLDT warns of massive job losses

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. has warned of massive job losses and company shutdowns should the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) push through with its orders relating to contracting and sub-contracting activities. 

PLDT said a DOLE order and the agency’s recently issued writ of execution categorically order 38 of PLDT’s service contracts to “cease and desist from further engaging in contracting and sub-contracting activities.”

DOLE regional directors were also directed to “initiate the appropriate cancellation proceedings against erring contractors.”

“These actions, if pursued by DOLE, would effectively shut down these companies, and displace not only the workers deployed to PLDT, but also thousands of other workers assigned to other principals,” the telco giant said.

PLDT has gone to the Court of Appeals to question the legality and validity of the DOLE’s order, saying certain aspects of this order are inconsistent with applicable law, jurisprudence and the documentary and testimonial evidence.

The company filed its petition for certiorari on May 2, shortly after it received the DOLE order on April 30.

While it awaits judicial relief from the CA, PLDT is carrying out an orderly and effective intake process in response to the DOLE order.

“PLDT will continue to exert its best efforts in good faith to resolve these issues, bearing in mind the welfare of the affected workers and PLDT’s own employees, its commitments to trade partners like its 38 service contractors, and its duty to deliver quality services to its customers,” the company said.

PLDT on Monday said its operations are feeling the impact of DOLE’s order on the provision of the telco giant’s services, but is exerting every possible effort to address the needs of our customers.