ACORDING to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) last month, the country’s joblessness rate in June 2019 was up by one percentage point to 20.7 percent. This is equivalent to an estimated 9.8 million Filipinos out of work.
The SWS recorded the joblessness rate in March at 19.7 percent or an estimated 9.4 million adults out of work. SWS said the increase in the proportion of adults in the labor force who are jobless came after two consecutive quarters of decrease. The proportion was at 22 percent in September 2018. It went down to 21.1 percent (an estimated nine million adults) in December, and then to 19.7 percent in March 2019.
Yes, unemployment is a big problem. Lack of job opportunities here has forced many to seek greener pastures abroad. But not much public attention has been given to perhaps one important employment measure addressing unemployment, specifically youth unemployment – the JobStart Philippines program (Republic Act 10869). We wonder why.
Unemployment is high in the youth sector because companies are reluctant to hire young individuals who have no work experience or formal training. The government’s JobStart program ensures skills training, knowledge transfer and the necessary boost of confidence among the youth.
With Republic Act 10869, Filipinos as young as 18 years old are guaranteed proper training by the State even as they prepare to take on the challenges associated with real-world employment. Department Order No. 179 opens the JobStart program to Filipino citizens aged 18 to 24 years old, although those as young as 17 can already register provided that they will be 18 upon the start of training. Potential trainees must have at least reached high school level. Spelled out in the implementing rules and regulations are the program’s full cycle employment facilitation services such as registration, client assessment, life skills training with one-on-one coaching, technical training, job matching, and referrals to employers either for further technical training, internship or for employment.
There is another labor-related law – Republic Act 10771, otherwise known as the Green Jobs Act. It provides tax incentives to companies that generate green jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the quality of the environment be it in the agriculture, industry or services sector. The measure further defines green jobs as “decent jobs that are productive, respect the rights of workers, deliver a fair income, provide security in the workplace and social protection for families, and promote social dialogue.”
It is hoped that these two employment measures would benefit many unemployed and underemployed Filipinos. By creating an environment conducive for job creation and employment, we eradicate poverty.
