Dole says no wage hike, but jobs await jobseekers

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office announced there will be no wage increase this year as the country observes Labor Day Thursday but thousands of job vacancies were promised for jobseekers, a labor official said here.

Sesinio Cano, DOLE regional director, said the National Tripartite Wages and Regulatory Board (NTWRB) can not act even if there is a petition for wage increase citing the one-year prohibition following the P20-wage hike in June 2013.

However, the labor official said the Labor Day celebration in the region will still be meaningful to thousands of jobseekers as a job fair will be  held at the campus of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).

Cano said at least 4,703 local job opportunities are available, while 39,489 overases job vacancies are also up for grabs.

He said at least 22 private companies and government agencies, and 22 recruitment agencies for overseas employment are joining the job fair.

Most of the available jobs are machine and production operators, police officers, call center agents,  salespersons,  and factory workers.

Cano said vacancies for major industries are also available, including mining, manufacturing and construction, while jobs  in wholesale, retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and household goods are also up for grabs.

“There is still reason to be happy because job opportunities are available for our unemployed sector as we celebrate the Labor Day,” Cano said.

According to Cano, Western Mindanao has maintained a high employment rate with 96 percent compared to the national level of 92 percent, data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) show.

“The employment situation in Western Mindanao appeared to be on the positive level with only 6 percent unemployed record. Hopefully, the job fair will help us make it 100 percent employment compliance,” Cano added. -  Roel Pareño