Bello welcomes improved PH labor market condition
THE Department of Labor and Employment welcomes with high optimism the results of the latest Labor Force Survey.
In a statement, Laborer Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III said the survey “shows a much-improved labor market condition, with 2.18 million workers added to the total number of employed persons reaching 45.33 million (92.9%) in March compared to 43.15 million (91.2%) in February 2021.”
With unemployment rate at 7.1% (3.44 million unemployed), it is already the lowest recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. We also noted slight decline in the number of underemployed persons by 510,000 at 7.34 million (16.2%) from the 7.85 million (18.2%) in February, Bello added.
“The signs are indeed encouraging. Our economy is gradually getting back on track as more people are actively participating in the labor force and are becoming employed. The DOLE is one with the economic team in pushing for the safe reopening of businesses. With this policy, mobility of workers is further facilitated under a less restrictive community quarantine levels,”said Bello.
The labor chief added “this vibrant labor market landscape comes close with the initial rollout of vaccines for the A4 category of priority groups – the workers. The vaccination program for workers which we spearheaded on May 1 during the Labor Day Celebration should bring back their confidence to become economically active, along with the businesses and consumers. We strongly encourage our workers to get themselves inoculated once the COVID-19 vaccines are available.”
“We also reiterate our call on all workers and businesses to continue the strict adherence to the minimum public health standards (MPHS), and occupational safety and health policies. We need to instill discipline in observing basic MPHS – proper wearing of face mask and face shield, washing of hands, and social distancing. Rest assured that we will continue to work with various agencies and support initiatives such as the Task Group on Economic Recovery (TGER) and the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) towards a safe re-opening of the economy and sustained improvement in our labor market. We commit ourselves to fast tracking the policies and programs specified in the NERS 8-Point Employment Recovery Agenda,” said Bello,