By Leslie Ann Aquino  The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) on Tuesday said government officials should exercise caution when making pronouncements about meat products tainted with African swine fever (ASF), saying any misinformation could lead to loss of jobs. Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines
(MANILA BULLETIN) “Thousands of workers might lose their jobs caused by misinformation and confusion made by different government officials speaking differently about the ASF virus tainted food and by-products persist,” ALU-TUCP National Executive Vice President Gerard Seno said in a statement. That's why, he said government officials must double-check and carefully verify through information control and management protocols before releasing any authorized information to the public about the meat and other food products tainted with ASF virus. Right now, Seno said the lack of coordination and right information about the virus are driving misinformation and instilling fear among consumers. “Government must be in control, they must combine and pull their acts together and speak and move as one,” he said. Seno added that if misinformation continues to prevail in the market, thousands of jobs in small, medium and large food and meat processing and manufacturing enterprises in different parts of the country will be affected. “The food processing and manufacturing sector is one of the leading steady and direct job generators in the country, including jobs along its vibrant supply chains. If misinformation, mis-tagging, and confusion persists, they fear workers are forced to lose or be retrenched from their work,” he said.