The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is stepping in to provide immediate relief for hundreds of workers in Central Luzon who recently lost their jobs. The agency has announced a special one-day employment fair aimed at assisting employees displaced from two companies operating within the Clark Freeport Zone.
Immediate Response to Sudden Layoffs
The job fair is a direct response to the closure of two firms: Charter Link Clark and La Rose Noire Philippines. According to DOLE, the garment manufacturer Charter Link Clark shut down due to a severe lack of demand and orders, affecting a total of 477 employees. Simultaneously, pastry industry company La Rose Noire Philippines terminated 390 probationary employees after they failed to meet the company's stringent performance requirements. This brings the total number of affected workers seeking new opportunities to 867.
Event Details and Available Opportunities
The special employment fair is scheduled for Friday, January 9, and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at the Clark Event and Conference Hall inside the Clark Freeport Zone. Job seekers can expect a significant number of openings, with 20 participating employers offering more than 2,900 vacant positions.
The top vacancies with the highest available slots are:
- Customer Service Representatives (900 openings)
- Production Helpers (500 openings)
Other in-demand roles include project helpers, assembly technicians, and production operators, each with around 100 job openings.
Beyond Job Matching: Comprehensive Support Services
DOLE emphasizes that this initiative is more than just a job-matching event. The agency will set up on-site booths to provide crucial support services. Eligible displaced workers can receive assistance in filing for unemployment insurance benefits to gain immediate financial support. Representatives will also be present to guide attendees through various DOLE programs they might qualify for.
Furthermore, a dedicated labor advisory and assistance desk will be operational throughout the fair to address concerns and queries from the applicants. This holistic approach ensures workers receive both immediate employment prospects and access to essential safety nets.
This proactive measure by DOLE-Central Luzon, in partnership with the Clark Development Corporation, aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide continuous support to Filipino workers facing unexpected layoffs and economic displacement. The event underscores the government's commitment to mitigating the impact of job losses on individuals and the local community.
