More Filipinos now in need of jobs, DOLE data shows

MANILA, Philippines – More Filipinos are now in need of jobs, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.

Data from the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) shows a four-fold growth in the number of jobseekers nationwide.

DOLE data recorded a total of 267,793 job applicants nationwide. The figure is four times higher than the 50,000 jobseekers posted five months ago.

The increase in the number of jobseekers was apparently due to the recent surge in the number of workers displaced as a result of the prevailing global financial crisis.

Based on the BLE data, the greater bulk or about 25,000 of the jobseekers are factory workers and production machine operators.

Others on top of the list of jobseekers include, service crew, cashier, sales clerk, office clerk, sales lady, laborer and staff nurse.

 It will be recalled that many manufacturing firms nationwide, particularly in the CALABARZON Region folded up and retrenched thousands of workers due to the economic crisis.

The same BLE data shows that more than 56,000 local and overseas jobs are available to jobseekers.

Among the top vacancies reported in the DOLE Phil-Jobnet system are call center agents, web designers and developers, nurses, promo sales personnel, graphic artists and data entry clerks.

DOLE officials earlier urged the growing number of displaced workers to use the DOLE’s Phil-Jobnet system, which he said is a convenient, readily available job search service.

He said the DOLE’s internet job employment service is accessible “24-7.” at www.phil-job.net or at www.dole.gov.ph, to workers displaced by the global crisis.

Roque added that the Phil-Jobnet system is actively complemented by the 100 user-friendly GMA (Greater Modular Access) job center kiosks in strategic locations nationwide such as shopping malls and local government units (LGUs) in cities and towns.

There are also Philjobnet work stations available to workers and job seekers nationwide in the country’s Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) network in various LGUs with available Internet service.

Most jobseekers, however, are having difficulty finding employment due to a mismatch in the available vacancies. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)