QUEZON City, Philippines (November 8) – Before the Aquino Administration left the Malacañang on June, many people agreed that our economy has grown quite a bit. However, when it comes on employment rate in the country, much is left to be done. According to the Labor Force Survey conducted before Aquino end his Administration, the country’s unemployment rate is very high at 5.8 percent. The research group even added that government data show that “the Philippines still has the worst unemployment in Asia.” In short, we need more jobs.
Then came the Duterte Administration.
President Rodrigo Duterte promised to save the country from chronic unemployment and poverty. Aside from the nationwide war on drugs, it seems that the Administration is also making big steps for the country’s economy.
In an interview, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the current Administration is prioritizing the job creation and they are not only aiming to increase job opportunities for the Filipinos but they are also focusing on the problem of illegal contractualization that is affecting those who badly needed jobs.
The Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), on the other hand, are claiming that the Government is not focusing on the job creation for the Filipinos. According to ECOP Chair Emeritus Donald Dee, DOLE is not prioritizing the increase of job in the Philippines, instead they are just focusing on their personal advocacy.
Dee points out the salary increase that the DOLE proposed and is now being processed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs). Dee clearly wants DOLE to pay more attention on the job creation rather than the increase of wage.
In response, Bello said that they are exerting effort on finding job creation and placement. He also added that there’s a 12 percent increase in employment since the the new Administration took charge.
Bello also explained that they are working for the adjustment of the salary, but also admit that it may take time to process the proposal, because they have to consult with the stakeholders. Increasing salaries by just P10 is “a big thing” for management and especially government, Bello added.
Sources:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
http://www.mb.com.ph/
(written by Francis Albuen, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)
