Sancho: DOLE should relieve tensions in the labor sector
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local labor group, the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), recently expressed concern over the effects of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) on the labor sector. GAWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said the matter has become a serious concern as it has already affected business and the economy.
He pointed out, ever since officials in Macau began considering closing their borders to prevent Chinese tourists from entering the administrative region, the tourism industry has been badly hit and tourism-related jobs were adversely affected. He noted, the same may happen in one of the Philippines’ local travel destinations, such as Boracay, wherein the low number of visitors may force some establishments to downsize operations by laying off workers to prevent losses.
The labor advocate also pointed out, the current travel ban to Hong Kong may result in 15,000 newly-hired overseas Filipino workers from losing their jobs if the travel ban is extended.
“In general, labor and management will face problems in industrial relations,” he said.
Sancho added, he hopes the Department of Labor and Employment has interventions to allay the fears of the labor sector./DGB, WDJ