Over 300 tourism workers lose jobs in the Philippines

Workers build sand art on a beach in Boracay, the Philippines, on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The Philippines' heavy reliance on China for trade and tourism means the disruptions caused by the coronavirus epidemic are dealing a huge blow to the nations's economy. - Bloomberg

MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): More than 300 workers of 19 tourism-related establishments have lost their jobs since February due to the coronavirus outbreak that has curtailed air travel, particularly from China, one of the country’s biggest tourist markets, the Department of Labour and Employment said on Tuesday (March 10).

At the same time, 47 companies with 4,416 workers have implemented flexible work arrangements, including shorter hours, reduced working days or forced leave, according to Assistant Labour Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay.