TRAVEL restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the country’s tourism and hospitality industry, resulting in the displacement of many employees. But despite less favorable work conditions, the industry’s “displacement survivors” continue to work to support themselves and their families, according to a recent study published by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The study investigated the experiences of hospitality workers who survived the displacements caused by the pandemic. Thirty-six hospitality layoff survivors from Western Visayas, Cebu, Mactan Island, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao were interviewed.
Displacement survivors who choose to keep their jobs despite uncertainties are at risk of becoming victims of unfair labor practices, such as underpayment, non-payment of wages, work overload, and diminution of benefits. They also experience work-related stressors due to the pandemic because of the risk they face when going to work, new competency requirements, and understaffing. The reduced working days, prohibition of work hours extension, increased number of rest days, and the nonrequirement of holiday work also result in financial difficulties.
Given possible business closures, they also face job and employment insecurity.
These workers recognize the challenges of finding employment elsewhere but remain optimistic about their employability because of their work experiences and skillsets. Financial uncertainties drive them to endure these strains, given the limited work choices caused by job and employment instabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is imperative to develop policies protecting their welfare and rights. To make this possible, the government should develop a recovery roadmap for the hospitality industry that includes fair labor policies, survivors’ welfare-centered programs, open and transparent communication, and recovery preparatory interventions. Ongoing government programs should also be strengthened, particularly those involving health protocol training and tourism recovery.
The importance of retooling and reskilling industry workers cannot be overemphasized. The Department of Tourism should sustain its ongoing training courses for the hospitality industry to train tourism stakeholders on health and safety protocols and new normal operations. More importantly, businesses must constantly look after their employees’ basic and career needs. These could be in the form of building management competencies, establishing appropriate protective benefits and reward systems, and adhering to labor standards.
Displacement survivors deserve all forms of support that are possible and available. They, too, matter.
