Over 860k workers in audiovisual industry need wage subsidy amid COVID-19— FDCP

Around 865,000 workers in the creative economy are suffering from the impact of  the COVID-19 pandemic to the audiovisual industry, according to Film Development Council of the Philippines chairperson Liza Diño on Friday.

During a hearing of the Senate panels on finance and economic affairs, Diño explained that the sector was the first to be canceled and is projected to be the last to recover because its operations involve mass gatherings.

She underscored that 70% of the workers in the industry are freelancers who must receive at least six months of cash assistance.

The FDCP already reallocated P20 million of its fund to give P5,000 to P8,000 emergency subsidies to the affected workers, according to Diño, but more funds are needed to cover them all in a sustainable manner.

"Ang laki po ang audiovisual industry and 'yun nga po dahil hindi kami nahahagip ng census studies ng PSA statistics, minsan po ay nakakalimutan yung aming pinagdadaanan at kalagayan ng mga nasa industriyang ito," she said.

Workers in film, animation, TV, commercials, live events, and manufacturing of audiovisual equipment, among others are included in this sector which needs better safety nets from the government amid the pandemic, she added. — RSJ, GMA News