DOLE Lauds Labor Force Survey Showing Employment Rate Increase

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday lauded the results of the October 2019 Labor Force Survey particularly in the increase of employment.

“We are inspired by the increase in Employment and achieving beyond the overall target for the year of 900,000-1.1 million employment. For the year 2019, we gained 1.3 million Employment,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement.

“This is brought about by vibrant wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, construction, education, accommodation and food service activities and public administration and defense. Agriculture, particularly, fishing and aquaculture, have also recovered in terms of Employment,” the DOLE chief added.

At the same time, Bello acknowledged their efforts in providing jobs to Filipinos as part of their goal as the celebration of their founding anniversary this year

“The highly positive results of 1.8 million net Employment gains for the October 2019 LFS truly speak of our commitment, “Patuloy sa Mahusay, Mabilis at Malinis na Serbisyo” as DOLE celebrates its 86th Founding Anniversary,” he added.

Also, he cited their contribution to the decline of youth unemployment in the country by providing internship program in government offices.

“We wish to thank NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) for acknowledging our Government Internship Program and JobStart Philippines as contributors to government interventions in enhancing youth employability. We are proud to contribute to the continuous decline of youth unemployment,” Bello said.

On Thursday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that youth employment rate was estimated at 87.2 percent in October 2019 while it was 86.7 percent in the same month a year ago.

It added that unemployment rate in the Philippines reached a 14-year low in October as more individuals were hired during the period.

PSA data showed that employment rate was estimated at 95.5 percent in October, up from 94.9 percent in the same month in 2018.

Likewise, it reported the unemployment rate is at 4.5 percent, as against 5.1 percent recorded in October last year. (PNA)