Philippine unemployment

Widespread informality, growing poverty belie gov’t claims of robust jobs market – IBON

February 7, 2024

The prevalent lack of decent work and the increasing number of Filipinos falling into poverty dispels the Marcos Jr administration’s hype of a “robust” labor market.

Persisting jobs crisis belies gov’t claims of growth momentum

July 8, 2022

The increase in May 2022 unemployment and informal work shows that the jobs crisis persists despite government’s opening up of the economy and hype of economic growth.

Scar-crossed Labors

January 17, 2022

We will likely hear claims of strong economic performance, early recovery, and returning to a path of rapid and inclusive growth. But labor force and poverty figures for 2021 already show how any claims like that will just be bluster or, worse, blind to the daily experience of millions of Filipinos.

Jobless, sluggish growth persists contrary to gov’t hype — IBON

November 10, 2021

Economic managers shouldn’t celebrate too soon over seemingly positive third quarter growth as more and more Filipinos lose jobs and increasingly make do with informal work. Economic growth is also still slowing with many sectors years from recovery.

Job losses despite quarantine easing may be early sign of economic contraction – IBON

November 5, 2021

The Duterte administration should not be dismissive of the significant drop in employment and rise in unemployment in September 2021. These are signs that the economy is still floundering despite quarantine restrictions easing and vaccinations increasing.

Ayuda urgently needed to mitigate worsening poverty

August 21, 2021

The government has just announced the transition from ECQ to modified ECQ so the economy can supposedly recover. But the Duterte administration’s over-reliance on destructive lockdowns without effective and substantial health and economic response, like much-needed ayuda, is what’s really worsening the crisis and pushing more Filipinos into poverty.

June labor force survey confirms economy not recovering despite reopening

August 3, 2021

The latest labor force survey (LFS) shows how far away the economy is from recovering without real fiscal stimulus. Job generation is hollow with a bloating informal sector and huge contraction in full-time work. These will worsen with the looming ECQ which will push millions of Filipinos into deeper economic distress.

Strong economy? Worst job creation in 6 administrations of post-Marcos era

July 25, 2021

“Strong economic fundamentals” claims questionable given stats on weakest job generation post-Marcos era

Strong economy? Among worst unemployment in Asia pre-pandemic

July 25, 2021

The Philippines was dubbed as among “Asia’s 10 fastest growing economies” in 2017 and 5th in the “Most Competitive Economies” list by the World Economic Fund in 2018. But growth and competitiveness for what?