W. Visayas’ underemployed rise in number

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Western Visayas posted an increase in underemployment rate from 18.8 percent in 2012 to 22.4 percent last year, according to a labor force survey conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

DOLE-6 assistant regional director Salome Siaton said the total underemployed in the region was at 676,000 last year, as compared to 565,000 in 2012.

The same NSO data also showed that unemployment rate decreased from 6.5 percent to 6.2 percent last year, or a total of 208,000 unemployed in 2012 to last year’s 201,000 only.

On employment rate, the region posted an increase from 93.5 percent in 2013 to 93.8 percent last year, due to business process outsourcing and construction jobs. (FREEMAN)