People who are unemployed are referred to as those who are eager and able to work but cannot do so for various reasons, such as the lack of education, as well as the lack of jobs available. Our organization, Tulong Ang Hangarin at Aagapay sa Kawalan ng trabaho (Tahak), wants to point out the problem of the unemployment rates in the Philippines. The capacity to work will raise our fellow Filipinos’ standard of living; hence, this issue needs to be addressed and prioritized. The country needs enough jobs, jobs that are aligned with the level of education or the college program that people take, and quality education for all. Furthermore, it can be seen nowadays that our Philippine government has been developing new goals and plans that can help in making the country overcome the problem in the future, but are these plans enough to further lower the unemployment rates that we are now experiencing in the country?
In September 2023, the Philippines witnessed a notable improvement in its unemployment situation, as the unemployment rate dropped from 5 percent to 4.5 percent. This positive change resulted in a reduction of 234,000 individuals unemployed, decreasing the number to 2.26 million. Consequently, even with this improvement, in June 2023, it showed that underemployment stood at 12 percent, signifying that a portion of the workforce had jobs that might not provide sufficient income. These figures indicate that there are challenges related to the quality of employment opportunities. These unemployment rates can cause recessions in the economy, high poverty especially for people unemployed or people who are not receiving the right amount of salary. Having competent jobs available, and those that are aligned with the college programs that people took can help in a way that there are jobs readily available for people looking for them. Giving the education sector a high priority and enhancing skill development are essential steps toward equipping people with the adaptability required in today’s changing labor market.
With the progression and legislation of laws for the protection and benefits of employees, it is set to prove that the country has little to no problems with unemployment. These laws protect workers by setting conditions on salary or wages, working hours and conditions, and benefits that they should be receiving. As the National Economic and Development Authority highlighted, the Marcos administration is committed to giving people lucrative employment opportunities. In that case, the advantage is that discrimination in the labor market will be avoided since every applicant will have the opportunity to be hired regardless of their educational background.
However, in the Independence Day job fair, Quezon City Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde highlighted another concerning aspect of the economic landscape, noting that nearly 75 percent of the population grapples with the increasing prices of commodities, necessities, and other products over time. Specifically, 40 percent of this challenge stems from unemployment and low income. He emphasized the necessity for lawmakers and the private sector to collaborate in addressing the issue of unemployment and its impact on the well-being of Filipinos.
In conclusion, improving the unemployment rate necessitates a comprehensive and multidimensional strategy. In order to generate new jobs, the economy must maintain a strong level of demand. Furthermore, aspiring people can have the capacity to shift to a different career by possessing a diverse set of skills and a well-educated background which also helps in reducing the level of unemployment in the new workforce of the Philippines. By investing in quality education, individuals can have an advantage of being demanded in a competitive job market, leading to economic growth and increased livelihood opportunities. Entrepreneurship and boosting consumer demand also plays an important role in being an effective source in the rise of employment. This increase in market demand further drives the need for more services and production, which generate new job possibilities in a variety of businesses. The government should also provide financial and skill development incentives in order to drive people to look for and accept jobs in the current economy of the country.
Alyanna Mae Medina,
Bryce Sofia Marasigan,
Kisha Marie Mente,
Jannah Novilla,
Jenneah Crizandra Sibug,
Alyssa Mae Tiñana,
Tahak Group, 12ABM-03