Metro firms hiring fewer workers

MANILA, Philippines - Employment opportunities appear bleak for workers in Metro Manila.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday reported that commercial establishments in Metro Manila are hiring fewer workers.  

Data from the DOLE-Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) show a decline in the number of employed workers in Metro companies due to economic slowdown in the past months. Based on a survey done by DOLE in the second quarter of the year, employment in top enterprises in the region dropped by 2.05 percent compared to last year.

“This occurred as the domestic economy - measured in terms of gross domestic product or GDP - slowed down considerably to 3.4 percent in the second quarter from the robust 8.9 percent growth in 2010,” the bureau said.

According to BLES, the hiring rate in Metro firms went down to 8.60 percent, indicating a reduction of 21 workers per 1,000 workers.

The same survey indicated that more workers were laid off or quit their jobs compared to the number of workers hired during the period covered.

The bureau noted that majority of the hiring in commercial establishments in Metro Manila were done to replace terminated workers or those who quit their jobs rather than company expansion.

“For the second quarter of the year, 86 workers per 1,000 employed were added to the enterprise workforce due to expansion or replacement while 107 workers per 1,000 employed were terminated or quit their jobs,” BLES said.

It said employment losses occurred in these sub-sectors: real estate, renting, business activities, private education, and social and personal services.