
Around five million Filipinos nationwide could lose their jobs this year, due to the impact of artificial intelligence and climate change on local industries, labor group Federation of Free Workers (FFW) recently reported.
FFW vice president Julius Cainglet said extreme weather is expected to wreak havoc and destroy crops by the mid to end of the first quarter, resulting in the displacement of workers in the agriculture sector.
He adds that job losses are also expected in the business process outsourcing and manufacturing sectors as AI becomes mainstream in business operations.
Citing the International Monetary Fund, Cainglet said up to 14 percent of the country’s workforce is at risk of being replaced by AI.
He noted that about 2.3 million Filipinos lost their jobs in 2024, following successive tropical cyclones.
In addition, direct foreign investments did not help in job creation last year, FFW claimed. It added that foreign investors are reluctant to establish businesses in the country due to the high cost of electricity compared to neighboring countries.
Labor groups will and have always found something to fight for, and in this day and age, the threats posed by AI and climate change are among those that are truly concerning for the millions of employees who could be adversely affected. Pointing out these threats is one way of asking government to be proactive and prepared by instituting more measures and programs to minimize the negative impact on the nation’s workers.
It is the duty of government to make sure that those that it expects to be affected by global developments such as AI and climate change, are as protected as possible, especially because these disruptions are already common knowledge by now. Filipinos shouldn’t have to lose their jobs so easily, and those that are expected to be affected should have confidence that in case of emergencies, safety nets are ready.*