472 employees receive separation pay amid Clark firm closure

Nearly all employees of a garment manufacturer in Clark City have received their separation packages following the company’s closure due to a decline in orders, officials said Wednesday.

Charter Link Clark Inc. reported that 472 of its 477 employees, or roughly 99 percent, have been paid ahead of a government-led job fair scheduled for Friday. The closure was attributed to reduced orders and the loss of a key customer.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president and CEO Agnes Devanadera said the packages included separation pay, pro-rated 13th-month pay, cash-converted leave credits and one month’s salary.

The updated figure follows a December 29 report that 399 employees had been settled. The final 73 beneficiaries were added this week.

Maribel Yambao, the company’s human resources manager, thanked the CDC for its assistance during the transition.

“The company remains committed to ensuring that the process is carried out fairly, transparently and with respect for all concerned,” Yambao said in a report to the CDC.

To assist the displaced workers, the CDC and the Department of Labor and Employment are hosting a job fair on 9 January.

Several companies within the Freeport zone have been invited to recruit from the pool of affected workers.

The event will be held at the Clark Events and Conference Hall.