Unemployment and underemployment problem will increase if the government will not prioritize addressing the problems in job generation and workers’ preparedness, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva warned Wednesday.
In a statement, Villanueva said the country’s labor market must be ready for 1.5 million individuals who are set to join the working force this year.
“[W]ith new entrants to the labor force, unemployment and underemployment would surely increase if no change to sluggish efforts on job generation and addressing gaps in school-to-work transition and persisting job-skills mismatch is done,” said Villanueva.
“Predictable po ang pagpasok at bilang ng mga bagong manggagawa sa labor force taon-taon pati na rin ang mga trabahong nakadepende sa pagkakaroon ng mga okasyon at seasonal,” he added.
Villanueva cited Philippine Statistics Authority’s data which showed that the unemployment rate in February 2023 remains unchanged since the start of the year at 4.8% or 2.47 million Filipinos.
Based on the latest PSA data, the senator said the agriculture sector has 11.76 million employed persons; the industry sector has 7.95 million employed individuals; and the services sector has 29.08 million workers.
“We have to assist agri-fishing, manufacturing, and other sectors to create new and sustainable jobs, address issues on school-to-work transition and ensure industry-relevant skills and core skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration,” Villanueva said.
“More is needed in job generation from all agencies if we want to step up from cyclical unemployment. We have to be proactive in finding solutions especially when it comes to easing unemployment in the country,” he added.
The Senate majority leader then reiterated the need for a long-term master plan for employment generation and recovery in the country.
Villanueva is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 2035 or the proposed Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act which aims to promote job-led economic growth and enhanced industry collaboration, and to provide overall services for worker development and support and incentives to businesses.
The proposed masterplan will include a three-year, six-year, and ten-year development timeline for its vision, mission, and goals.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Philippines should be ready for 1.5M new job seekers –Villanueva
Source: Balita News
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