Singapore-based Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing and food-delivery app, has assured that its recent workforce restructuring will have no impact on its commitment to President Bongbong Marcos to create 500,000 new jobs in the country.
Grace Vera-Cruz, Grab Philippines country head, emphasized the importance of the Philippine market to Grab and reassured their commitment to generating meaningful opportunities for everyday Filipinos and small businesses whether as a driver-partner, delivery partner, or merchant partner.
“The restructuring exercise neither changes our investment commitment to the government, nor does it affect our ability to ably serve Filipinos. We are accelerating our efforts to ensure that this will come to fruition, as we unlock further economic empowerment through our robust ecosystem,” Vera Cruz said.
In a letter from Grab CEO Anthony Tan, Grab recently announced it was laying off 1,000 employees, also called Grabbers, across the different markets across Southeast Asia to combine its scale with agile execution and cost leadership.
The move is meant to enable Grab to sustainably offer even more affordable services and serve its drivers and merchant partners better.
“We are aware that change may be incredibly challenging and we are prioritizing the welfare of the Grabbers who were affected by the restructuring exercise. We want to make sure that they have the runway during their professional transition,” Vera-Cruz said.
In response to concerns about the impact on Grab employees, the company has announced measures to adequately compensate affected individuals.
Financial, professional, and medical support will be provided, including severance payments, goodwill payments, encashment of accrued leave, GrabFlex credits, and maternity or paternity leaves.
Grabbers will also have the option to retain their pre-assigned laptops and receive completion bonuses if they are required to provide transition support.
Grab will extend medical insurance coverage until the end of the year whenever possible, adhering to local insurance terms.
Additionally, Grab is offering development support such as free access to LinkedIn Premium subscription and LinkedIn Learning for one year, along with professional coaching sessions, to assist them in transitioning to their new careers.
Since it was launched in the Philippines in 2012, the Grab platform has created income opportunities for millions of micro-entrepreneurs as well as small and medium enterprises.
During a recent meeting with President Marcos, Grab co-founder and CEO Anthony Tan revealed the company’s intention to create 500,000 livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.
READ RELATED STORIES:
Binola lang si BBM? Grab’s massive layoff casts shadow on its pledge to create 500,000 jobs in Philippines
Advocacy group calls for probe into Grab layoffs, demands protection of Filipino workers’ rights
Singapore tech giant Grab to lay off over 1,000 employees
