A rainbow that’s not so bright

Dubbed as the lifesaver, the once rainbow industry is now losing its glow. Call center companies are currently laying off their workers – an effect of the economic crisis occurring in the United States. Because the Philippine call center industry is directly connected to America’s industry, it is not anymore surprising that the effects of the crisis are carried over. As the famous saying goes, “When America sneezes, the Philippines catches cold.”

The United States, being the “center” or heart of this industry is going through recession and is shedding off jobs.

One would think that Advanced Contact Solutions Inc., as one of the leading call center companies in the country, can handle all the pressures from the recession, but as fate would have it, the company laid off 900 of its employees, giving cause for fear to those who are currently in its employ and to those who are aspiring to be among its employees. The retrenchments, according to reliable reports, were caused by the bankruptcy of its major US-based clients.

According to IBON Foundation, contact call center operators may opt to protect their profits by cutting down on employees’ salaries and benefits. They may also opt for contractualization or hiring their workers on short-term contract basis to reduce operation costs.

Another action that companies might take is relocation. Call center companies transfer from Manila to the regions, searching for a cheaper pool of employees who can give Manileños a run for their money.

Although the government is in denial, they won’t be able to hide the painful truth: there are less job opportunities for Filipinos even in the very industry, which it once considered as a lifesaver.

Are THEY doing their job?

With all the pressures on graduates seeking jobs for their survival, the spotlight is focused on the government. Part of the government’s responsibility to its citizens is providing support for job-seekers.

Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque assured that they would assist new entrants to the labor force, primarily fresh graduates of colleges and universities, in finding good job opportunities through the job fairs it would hold in different universities and other locations nationwide.

This, according to Roque, would help in diminishing unemployment and winning the battle against the global economic crisis. According to reports from the Manila Bulletin, Labor Undersecretary Rosalinda Baldoz admitted that there is a problem in matching available jobs with the skills of new graduates. Such problem would be a big challenge to the government.

The government stresses that it is giving full support to job seekers, which it claims was made evident when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 782 on Feb. 10. This EO makes available temporary jobs in different government agencies to help Filipinos cope with the crisis occurring throughout the world.

Still, the government remains optimistic regarding the prospects of the call center industry as well as hotels and restaurants which are, based on reports, in need of 3,000 workers. The government believes these two industries would provide the biggest number of jobs to new applicants, especially the new graduates.

Overseas jobs are accommodating the flux of graduates as well. Based on reports from Manila Bulletin, there are 500,000 vacancies abroad primarily in the Middle East for construction, oil and gas, and maintenance services; and Canada which opened its gates to Filipinos for two-year renewable contracts.

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