Reinforced student jobs plan to check rising youth unemployment

MANILA, Philippines – An educator-turned-lawmaker has hailed the passage of a new law aggressively expanding a government-subsidized student jobs plan, saying it would help put in check rising youth unemployment.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said Republic Act 9547, which takes effect April 23, enables a greater number of private and public entities to engage more youngsters 15 years of age but not more than 25 years old under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

“Congress decided to quickly build up the SPES in view of the growing number of youths desperately looking for productive work, so that they may have extra income not just to help finance their schooling, but also to support their families,” Gullas said. “This reinforced program will surely go a long way in addressing mounting youth joblessness,” he added.

Citing the results of the last Labor Force Survey, Gullas lamented that for every 100 unemployed Filipinos, 52 belonged to the age group 15 to 24 years. Under the new law, students in tertiary, vocational or technical schools may be employed under the SPES any time of the year, for a period of 20 to 52 days. Under the old law, they may be employed under the SPES only during the summer or Christmas vacations.

High school students may likewise be retained under the SPES, but only during the summer and on Christmas (10 to 15 days only) breaks.

Students employed under the SPES get paid an amount not lower than the lawful minimum wage. Employers pay 60 percent of the wage in cash. The national government covers the rest in education vouchers that may be used to pay for tuition and books.

Under the expanded program, even small shops with at least 10 regular workers may hire qualified students. Before the new law, only firms with a minimum of 50 full-time employees may take on youths under the SPES.

Public offices, including local governments, may now also sign up students under the SPES.

Another provision in the new law states that enlistment under the SPES may be counted as part of the student’s probationary employment period, should he or she apply for work in the same company or agency after graduation.