MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is optimistic that the forthcoming holiday season will further help in achieving its plan to boost employment opportunities for Filipinos.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma remarked on the results of the August 2024 Labor Force Survey which showed the country’s employment rate surging at 96 percent.
“As the upcoming holiday season often creates more available job opportunities, especially in the services sector, we anticipate sustained growth in keeping with our end-of-plan targets,” the DOLE chief said in a statement Tuesday night.
He noted that the latest survey is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive economy.
“With our collaborative efforts, we witnessed a growth of 932, 000 in the number of persons participating in the labor force, expanding from 50.292 million in August 2023 to 51.224 million in August 2024. The number of employed Filipinos likewise increased by 1.081 million, from 48.073 million to 49.154 million,” he said.
“This year-on-year employment growth is fueled by a diverse range of sectors, including wholesale and retail trade, public administration and defense, social security, accommodation and food services, other services, and transportation and storage, signifying a broad-based economic recovery,” the DOLE chief added.
Laguesma also noted an improvement in the quality of jobs, as underemployment declined by 146, 000 from 5.630 million in August 2023 to 5.484 million in August 2024.
Additionally, he said the number of unemployed individuals decreased by 149, 000 from 2.219 million in August 2023 to 2.070 million in August 2024.
“While the present administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. with the support and cooperation of the private sector, is making significant strides in assisting and safeguarding workers and businesses, particularly MSMEs, from challenges brought about by rapid technological advancements, climate change, and geo-political development – much remains to be done,” he said.
“President Marcos, Jr.’s socio-economic agenda, especially creation of decent and quality jobs, reduction of poverty incidence and ensuring inclusive growth require a sustained and unqualified whole of nation approach,” he added.
Laguesma said the DOLE will remain steadfast in its commitment and mandate to protecting workers’ rights, providing support to business growth, and fostering a vibrant labor market towards the realization of a Bagong Pilipinas for the benefit of the Filipino people, through its priorities embodied in the Labor and Employment Plan 2023. (PNA)