ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Recent reports reveal a notable increase in underemployment rates in Zamboanga Peninsula, indicating a misalignment between the skills and expectations of the workforce and the available employment opportunities. The rise poses potential economic challenges and highlights the need for targeted interventions to support the affected communities.
The Department of Labor and Employment-IX (DOLE 9) revealed during the Kapihan na Zamboanga program on December 20, that based on the 2023 first semester data, 21.8% are underemployed compared to the 12.9% from the first semester of 2022.
“With the economy peaking up, the Micro enterprises are still slowly coping up with the effect of pandemic coupled with the crisis that leads to the factors of underemployment and unemployment,” Engr. Wesley Tan, Chief Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE 9 said.
Meanwhile, DOLE 9 is actively engaging with the private sector, local government units, and industry stakeholders to foster a collaborative approach. This partnership aims to create a dynamic and resilient job market that adapts to the evolving economic landscape of ZAMPEN.
Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises are important contributors to the generation of employment opportunities. Engr. Tan shares that recently there is also an increase of work opportunity in the construction industry due to the majority of public infrastructures are in full swing implementation.
Job seekers join the job fair during Labor day on May 1, 2023.
Moreover, some major industries that also contribute to employment development are fishing and canning, hotel and restaurant, security manpower, rubber and seaweeds.
In ensuring the quality of job and employment, DOLE 9 reinforces routine inspections and technical advisory visits to companies and MSMEs, ensuring strict adherence to the region’s minimum wage standard.
This rise indicates a mismatch between the skills, expectations, and available employment opportunities, pointing towards a complex set of challenges in the regional job market. Continuous technical skills training are also being conducted by other government agencies to help address the underemployment where there is a need to produce skilled workers to sustain the employment demands. (RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA-Zamboanga City)
