On May 5th, the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN. It was issued on the basis of the expiration of its congressional franchise. The order effectively shut down the country’s largest TV network.
One looming issue concerned with the shutdown is the loss of jobs for 11,000 ABS-CBN employees. Various labor groups have decried the act, especially in a time of pandemic.
“ABS-CBN’s shutdown also translates to the loss of livelihood of thousands of families. It is difficult enough for Filipinos to find decent work in normal times, much more now that the country’s economy is bleak with the COVID-19 crisis,” KMU secretary-general Jerome Adonis said.
(NTC orders ABS-CBN to shut down its TV and radio broadcast operations)
Thankfully, ABS-CBN has reportedly assured its workers of salary with benefits for the next 3 months. According to TV host Bianca Gonzalez, Kapamilya bosses spoke with their employees following their last broadcast.
“For the next three months, wala pong mawawalan ng trabaho due to retrenchment,” she quoted them. “Active ang lahat ng benefits, including medical, sa panahon na ito.”
[For the next three months, no one will lose their jobs due to retrenchment. All benefits will remain active, including medical, during this time.]
However, ABS-CBN has not yet released a statement regarding the fate of their employees.
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