Lack of choices for unemployed Filipinos

BIZZ FIZZ

A NEW report by the research arm of the International Labor Organization (ILO) says a long “labor market recession” is worsening the social outlook in many countries.

The new study titled “World of Work Report 2010—from one crisis to the next?” acknowledges that three years into the crisis, the global economy has resumed growing, with some countries witnessing encouraging signs of employment recovery—significantly in emerging economies in Asia and Latin America.

“We see positive employment growth in most Asian countries between the first quarters of 2009 and 2010; employment gains are witnessed in the Philippines at 5 percent. However, employment recovery is uneven across Asian countries,” says Lawrence Jeff Johnson, director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.

The report by the ILO’s International Institute for Labour Studies also warns that despite these significant gains, new clouds have emerged on the employment horizon and the prospects have worsened significantly in many countries.

The ILO study says that, if current policies persist, a recovery in employment to pre-crisis levels will be delayed until 2015 in advanced economies, instead of 2013 as it projected a year ago.

At the same time, the report says, while employment in the emerging and developing countries has resumed growing, over 8 million new jobs are still needed to return to pre-crisis levels in those countries.

In the Philippines, job losses were registered in paid employment within enterprises which are regulated.

At the same time, jobs were created in unregistered establishments in which workers end up in vulnerable employment due to lack of social dialogue, social protection and employment benefits. Job losses have affected rural migrants, of whom many are forced to return to lower productivity agricultural work.

“This is a worrying trend because the poor cannot afford to be unemployed so they are willing to take whatever work is available in order to survive. The Philippines placed creating employment opportunities, achieving inclusive growth and reducing poverty central to its national development objective. Indeed, the country’s priority to provide jobs that empower the people and provide them with opportunities to lift themselves and their families out of poverty is an important step to address the rising number of working poor and vulnerable employment,” notes Johnson.

The report goes on to say the longer the labor market recession, the greater the difficulties for job seekers to obtain new employment. In the 35 countries for which data exists, nearly 40 per cent of job seekers has been without work for more than a year and therefore run significant risks of demoralization, loss of self-esteem and mental health problems. Importantly, young people are disproportionately hit by unemployment.”

“Fairness must be the compass guiding us out of the crisis,” states ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. “People can understand and accept difficult choices, if they perceive that all share in the burden of pain.

Governments should not have to choose between the demands of financial markets and the needs of their citizens. Financial and social stability must come together. Otherwise, not only the global economy but also social cohesion will be at risk.” –RENE MARTEL, Manila Times

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