Mall owners are willing to waive rents or give discounts to merchants and give alternative jobs to employees displaced by the mall closures.
The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) said with most workers in retail on “no work, no pay” basis, the group’s members such as drugstores, supermarkets and convenience stores may be able to absorb manpower cost for one month since they would still be allowed to operate within and outside the malls.
Office staff of retailers can also adopt staggered working hours and will paid for the number of hours rendered
PRA said the group will comply with Memorandum Circular 20-04 issued by the Department of Trade and Industry closing all malls and other retail establishments, except those selling basic goods.
There are an estimated 500,000 of the PRA members alone in Metro Manila. Most of these are daily wage earners, such as sales clerks.
Jennylle Tupaz, Ayala Land Malls president, said the company will support its merchants by giving free rent but this will have to be negotiated.
Tupaz said Ayala Land Malls will give workers on daily wage alternative duties in reallocated duties.
She said the company will consult with the Department of Labor and Employment on this.
Arlene Magtibay, general manager for commercial centers at Robinsons Land Corp. said rental waivers will be done on a case by case basis but that Robinsons Malls will be lenient and understanding of the situation of tenants.
