PAL workers affected by planned layoff stage rally near Malacañang

Workers affected by the planned layoffs of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) staged a rally at the Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang on Tuesday. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that the workers, accompanied by militant labor groups, have called for the government's attention to their plight. The marchers said they planned to eat a meal of rice and dried fish during their picket to dramatize their situation, the report said. The marchers included members of the PAL Employees' Association (PALEA), Koalisyon Kontra Kontraktwalisasyon and Partido ng Manggagawa. Participants began their march at T.M. Kalaw Street and proceeded to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) office in Intramuros before going to Mendiola, all in Manila.

On Monday, PALEA members picketed the DOLE office despite Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz's assurance that the affected employees will not be "jobless." The DOLE earlier upheld PAL's plan to outsource some of its services, which would affect some 2,600 employees. PALEA said it plans to stage more pickets and to question the DOLE's decision before the courts. – VVP, GMANews.TV