DOLE : Brighter employment picture for the Philippines in 2011
Date Posted : January 7, 2011 7:00 AM

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz sees a brighter employment situation in the country in 2011 as the economy is expected to remain bullish and capable of achieving the targeted 1.1 million additional jobs for workers this year.

Leading this year's first flag-raising ceremony in the DOLE in Intramuros, Manila, Baldoz said that the National Economic Development Authority's (NEDA) projection of seven to eight percent economic growth this year will generate 1.1 million new jobs, the annual target in job generation that would enable the country to make a dent in unemployment.

To prepare the workers in taking advantage of the projected economic growth, Baldoz directed the DOLE regional directors to identify and focus on priority programs that they should implement in their respective regions this year.

"The DOLE is bracing itself to help workers take advantage of economic growth. It shall focus on programs that would facilitate their employment in sectors that are seen to drive economic growth particularly in the regions," she added.

"At the same time, social dialogues with social partners, through the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC), will be strengthened to ensure industrial peace which is imperative in economic growth and job generation," she added.

Baldoz said that through social dialogues which the DOLE had conducted since the start of President Benigno S. Aquino III's administration, the social partners, including the non-traditional organizations which have joined dialogues under the DOLE's inclusive approach, have expressed willingness to pursue collective efforts not only in ensuring industrial peace but also in implementing other specific measures that would further boost the economy and alleviate poverty as well.

"This indicates that the social partners are optimistic and confident with the Aquino administration as they are willing to collaborate with national programs aimed at driving economic growth and alleviating the people's poverty," she said.

The DOLE chief added that the social partners' willingness to focus on economic growth and poverty alleviation will also cement the status of the country as Asia's industrial peace hub since 2007 when it started achieving an annual one-digit strike level.

"From being Asia's strike capital, the Philippines is now the envy of other Asian countries for its success in maintaining industrial peace, which will further be ensured as the social partners will focus on economic growth and poverty alleviation. Labor and management will strive to resolve industrial conflict to prevent strikes, lockouts, and hindrances to business growth, thereby, ensuring industrial peace in the country," she said.

Baldoz, however, stressed that even as the DOLE will prioritize employment facilitation efforts, it will continue its programs aimed at protecting workers' rights and providing safety nets for vulnerable sectors.

"We will continue to assist firms comply with labor laws and standards to ensure that jobs being generated are decent as well. Safety nets such as emergency employment, livelihood assistance, and social protection schemes for displaced, informal, and other needy workers will also be pursued," she said.

"All these programs will be strengthened to enhance the Filipino workers' capability to remain productive and competitive," Baldoz said.

Source : http://www.dole.gov.ph/secondpage.php?id=1690

Other Current News