A LAWMAKER from Manila has expressed concern over reports of mass layoff of a Multinational technology company Grab, including its operations in the Philippines.

The said ride-hailing company has confirmed that a number of local employees will be affected by the announced mass layoff.

Aside from the Philippines, also affected are employees in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

According to Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Committee in the House, the company should explain this reported mass layoff as it will affect the country’s workforce and transport system.

“In a position that Grab submitted to us in Congress and in a letter to the Department of Transportation, the company boasted of its commitment to provide livelihood to thousands of Filipinos but a few months thereafter, announce a mass lay off?,” Valeria o said.

Valeriano further called for a warning to be given to the US-publicly listed company because of a number of actions he branded as “wanton business decisions.”

The solon stressed that the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) had penalized Grab for a couple of times already. Our Congressional Committee is already looking into other possible errors Grab may have committed in price-surging as sole TNVS player, as well as in acquiring Move It, a motorcycle taxi fleet.

The lawmaker also disclosed that their committee is looking at other possible violations that may have been committed by Grab such as creative charging in its digital platform that offers a host of other businesses, including some form of “banking” by way of the e-wallet, money transfer, payment, through GrabPay.

“What is frustrating to us in Congress is the fact that Grab, in many ways snubbed our efforts to clarify details or the reasons behind some of its actions under the cloak of it being a US publicly listed company,” the solon added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas