The employment rate in the Philippines reached a 20-year low in December 2023 with only 1.6 million jobless individuals, a drop of more than 600,000 from the previous year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported. This 3.1% unemployment marking was a significant decrease from December 2022’s 4.3%. Simultaneously, the underemployment rate, representing employed people wanting additional work hours or jobs, also declined from 12.6% to 11.9%.

The administration has emphasized their commitment to creating quality jobs to battle these employment vulnerabilities. As part of their strategy, they intend to boost investments in infrastructure, significantly enhance human capital, and improve provisions for employment. Chief economist Michael Ricafort predicts further improvements in the labor market, attributing these positive changes to the Q4 seasonal rise in business activity.

In connection to this, total employment in December 2023 rose to 50.52 million from the 49 million employed in the same period in 2022. However, despite these improvements, job losses were recorded in the wholesale and retail trade, administrative and support service activities, and fishing and aquaculture sectors. The youth underemployment rate also experienced a rise from 9.2% to 11.6%.

To address these challenges, the government plans to utilize digital technology more heavily, and keenly supports laws such as the Open Access in Data Transmission bill. In addition, reforms in education and training programs are viewed as crucial in empowering the workforce for the digital age. Legislation that promotes lifelong learning and boosts business productivity is encouraged to maintain the momentum in the labor market.

As for those seeking employment or workers experiencing issues with their job status, getting help and assistance could be a significant challenge. Fortunately, there has been an increase in resources such as eddcaller.com that provide assistance in areas such as how to get a hold of the Employment Development Department, how to contact SDI, and how to get through to EDD. Initiatives like eddcaller.com play an important role in supporting and aiding individuals as they navigate the complex and often frustrating world of unemployment bureaucracy.