MANILA, Apr. 19 — Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced that the 2016 Labor Day Celebration on 1 May will be highlighted by the conduct of modified Job Fairs in 44 sites across the country’s 17 regions.
“The 2016 Labor Day celebration underscores the DOLE’s effort in developing the country’s top resource, our workers, and generating decent and productive jobs to secure a brighter future for the country,” Bladoz said.
The 114th Labor Day celebration on May 1, 2016, is themed “Kinabukasan Sigurado sa Disenteng Trabaho.”
Baldoz said the nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs will be modified by the DOLE through the conduct of a Career Fair, which is aimed at assisting the youth and students in their career decisions. The Career Fair will showcase key sectors and industries that would generate employment in the next seven to 10 years.
“The Career Fair will feature the on-going human resource development initiatives of the DOLE in partnership with labor groups, employers, key sectors, and other government agencies. It will build on the Human Resource Development Roadmap and the Labor and Employment Plan for 2016-2022 to prepare the youth for the future of work,” said Baldoz.
She added that the Career Fair will be participated in by 3,000 youths and students who want to explore future job/career opportunities in the labor market. It will also feature career ambassadors who will assist the youth participants in making career decisions.
The government’s working group, DOLE, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) will showcase their respective programs on career guidance, including scholarships and related programs on the K to 12.
A Labor Market Information (LMI) Corner will also be set-up, featuring the enhanced Phil-JobNet, Job Search Kiosk, JobStart Philippines, Human Resource Development Roadmap 2016-2022, career information materials, and industry career guides.
The nationwide Job Fairs, on the other hand, will be participated in by more than 800 companies for local employment and 200 companies for overseas employment with 200,000 vacancies.
Aside from employment opportunities, the Labor Day job fairs will also feature Assist WELL Plus programs for returning overseas Filipino workers, which will be provided with appropriate services by the DOLE, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
The Assist WELL program was established through DOLE Department Order 139, series of 2014 to ensure that OFWs who are compelled to go home under mandatory repatriation due to crises or emergencies are successfully reintegrated in the mainstream of Philippine society.
Assist WELL is a package of comprehensive reintegration assistance and services that addresses the welfare, employment, livelihood, and legal assistance needs of repatriates.
The employment assistance involves the provision of job placement/referral for local or overseas employment and competency assessment, as well as certification for repatriated workers who wish to confirm whether they possess the competencies required in a preferred workplace.
A Diskwento Caravan will also be conducted by the DTI, which will sell basic commodities at discounted prices. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), on the other hand, will offer free skills demonstration and free haircut and massage services to the job and livelihood fair participants. (DOLE)