High school, college students can find work under new law

MANILA, Philippines - High school and college students can now look forward to employment in government and private companies even before they graduate.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday said about 70,000 jobs in various government offices and commercial establishments are available for high school and college students this year.

Labor Assistant Secretary Reydeluz Conferido said employment for the 70,000 students is the result of the newly enacted law expanding the coverage of the special program for employment of students (SPES).

Under the newly approved law, Conferido said, any entity or person employing less than 10 workers is now allowed to hire poor but deserving students aged 15 to 25.

Conferido said college students and those enrolled in vocational and technical education can now be employed at any time of the year.

Aside from getting employment any time, Conferido noted that the new law also allows a longer period of employment for young students.

“Before only companies employing 50 workers are allowed to hire students for 20 days but this time even smaller companies can do so and for as long as 52 days, which means more students can work and earn more under the new law,” Conferido pointed out.

The students may also be employed in activities related to their courses and may earn equivalent academic credits while earning at the same time, Conferido stressed.

Poor students are identified as those with parents whose combined income does not exceed the annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six.

“Sixty percent of the daily minimum salary of the students will be paid by the employers and the remaining 40 percent by the government,” Conferido said.

Conferido said even local government units (LGUs) nationwide can participate in the new SPES program.

Students can also be employed in clerical work in both government and private firms.

Conferido likewise expressed confidence that more than 70,000 students will be hired next year since the new law mandates an annual increase in the budget for SPES.   – Mayen Jaymalin