Most Pinoys seeking extra jobs — DOLE

Most Filipinos, whether single or married, young or old, are seeking extra jobs to augment their income.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday a continuing number of underemployed Filipinos or those wishing to have an additional job.

A study by the Bureau of Employment and Statistics showed that underemployment now cuts across age groups and affects even the unmarried.

Based on the data, those belonging to 25-54 age group comprise the biggest or 70 percent of the estimated six million underemployed Filipinos in 2005.

A significant number or 10 percent of those beyond the prime working age group also wanted additional hours of work.

The same study indicated that the status of the individual was not a primary consideration in the desire to have more work.

The underemployed non-head recorded a bigger growth of 717,000 in 2005, compared to a 495,000 increase in the number of unemployed heads of families.

Although unskilled workers comprised the majority of the underemployed, different educational categories posted an increase in unemployment rates last year.

Underemployment was highest among farmers, forestry workers and fishermen, trade and related workers, followed by laborers and unskilled workers.

However, the level of unemployment among professionals went up from 6.8 percent in 2004, to a high of 21.8 percent a year ago.

According to the BLES report, the rising incidence of underemployment in the country is considered a more serious problem then unemployment since it is usually higher or twice the number of jobless Filipinos.

But labor officials said the DOLE is exerting all efforts to curb the country’s worsening unemployment and underemployment problem. — Mayen Jaymalin