Church commissions call on banks to alleviate lot of redundant workers

The Diocesan Commission For Justice And Peace and the Diocesan Commission For Pastoral Activities Among Workers have appealed to the commercial banks to consider a moratorium for redundant workers who have taken out loans.

The two commissions also appealed to the banks to possibly subsidise interest charges until the workers are gainfully employed once again.

Another appeal was to employers, especially those who are going through a period of high profitability, to consider creating on-the-job training with full remuneration to as many of the redundant employees as possible.

In a statement following the recently-announced redundancies of nearly 700 workers from the textile firms VF and Bortex, the commissions expressed solidarity with the workers.

They called on everyone to offer prayers and help the redundant workers and their families and those who are unemployed or unemployable. They encouraged the political, economic and social partners to collectively seek a solution.

The commissions also appealed to the government to consider, during the transition to new employment, granting all possible financial benefits to redundant workers to ease their burden.