DOLE: Thousands of jobs, but no takers

MANILA, Philippines - Where are the jobseekers?

Over 70,000 jobs were offered in job fairs, but there were few takers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.

In 40 job fairs the government and private companies held in January, only 21,385 applicants came to register. More than half or 51 percent of applicants were women.      

The DOLE said over 600 employers and establishments offered 70,651 job vacancies. Metro Manila accounted for almost 10,000 of the job openings.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz noted that 2,877 applicants were hired on the spot in the fairs.

“This is just the first month of the year. The department has still many job fairs to come. We expect more applicants to be hired on-the-spot in the next fairs which we will conduct year round,” she said.

The DOLE has been undertaking job fairs nationwide to facilitate the employment of a big number of people.

Baldoz said they hope to fast-track the meeting of jobseekers and employers in a convenient location and on a specific date to reduce cost, time, and effort on the part of applicants.

“A job fair is the DOLE’s response to requests for employment assistance. It has become a means of reaching out to the unemployed, giving them access to available job opportunities,” she said.

According to Baldoz, job fairs give applicants the chance to choose positions for which they qualify.

“During job fairs, applicants select vacancies suited to their qualifications and employers could interview and hire them on the spot,” Baldoz said.

On the other hand, employers can interview applicants and consider those who fit their manpower requirements. Thus, employment facilitation takes place at less cost, time and effort on the part of both jobseekers and employers.

Many qualified applicants still have to report to the companies for trade testing or medical examinations. However, there are applicants who meet the requirements of the employers and are hired straightaway.

Meanwhile, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said the DOLE appeared to be desperate to dispel views that the country is experiencing a “jobless growth.”

It said the department announced job fairs to show employment opportunities and yet a big number of Filipinos remain jobless.

“No amount of media hype by the labor department can refute the fact that more and more people are getting jobless. Not only has the Aquino government failed to generate sufficient employment for Filipinos, it has also failed to prevent companies from closing down,” KMU secretary-general Roger Soluta said.