Two labor groups recently stressed the need to examine more “critically” the labor force survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, saying that even though the country’s employment rate improved in August, Filipinos still endure low wages and contractualization.
According to data from the PSA, the employment rate for August was estimated at 96.1 percent, higher than the 94.7 percent of July, and slightly above the August 2024 rate of 96 percent.
“The latest Labor Force Survey may show more Filipinos employed and joining the workforce, but beneath the surface lies a deeper crisis: job generation remains mediocre and the quality of work continues to decline,” said Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa in a statement.
For Sentro, the increase in employment rate is “surprisingly positive” given recent challenges, such as “trade turbulence, corruption-induced flooding, and a deepening political crisis,” but argued that this was due to the ‘resilience’ of Filipino workers, and not because of the government.
“Workers’ resilience must not substitute for state responsibility. The real measure of progress is not how many Filipinos have jobs – but how many have decent, secure, and meaningful work,” the group added.
It noted that underemployment, although down to 10.7 percent in August compared to 11.2 percent a year ago, “remains stubbornly high.”
For its part, the Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN), said that although data from the survey shows an increase in jobs, comparing the current rates to those recorded last year “point to little or no significant change in the national situation.”
While the employment statistics from the PSA have been painting a rosy picture, it would seem that what is actually happening on the ground is a bit different. While the employment rate for August may be high at 96.1 percent, it does not fully describe the quality of the employment being offered to Filipinos who remain struggling. Underemployment, which measures the number of workers that are listed as employed but actually don’t work enough hours to earn a comfortable living, still remains an issue, but it is rarely the focus of government praise releases.
It is sometimes a good thing when certain groups voice their dissatisfaction, so the authorities who are in a position to do better can still try to make the necessary adjustments, instead of resting on their laurels. Because when it comes to being a developing country, we need a government that can sustain the development until everyone can really feel it.*
