Options to improve labor market policies and mulitply the ‘good’ jobs’ — Part II
In last week’s column, I presented the discouraging aspects of employment generation in the country using a recent World Bank analysis of the problem. If these facts are recognized at the start of a new president’s term, the stage could be set toward a proper reform of labor market policies.
To multiply good jobs and reduce poverty
Last week, the Philippine Statistical Authority released the employment data on the economy, for April 2016. While the picture is one that tells us about progress being achieved in the area, it essentially informs us that our record in raising employment is far from what we want it to be.
Employment market policies under the incoming Duterte government
Employment creation is the most effective weapon against poverty eradication. There are very hopeful signs that the incoming government of president-elect Duterte will move well on this front.
Contractualization of labor as 2016 election issue
Mayor Duterte, candidate for president, made a big splash on labor market issues when he said that if elected, he would put an end to the “contractualization of labor.” He said contractualization would kill the development of Philippine labor skills.
Is employment rate truly improving or are fewer workers looking for a job?
First, the inconvenient truth: despite the much-touted strong growth of the Philippine economy in the last four years, the country’s unemployment rate remains the highest among the more advanced ASEAN-6
Wanted: A forward-looking, competent and compassionate leader
The Philippines' biggest challenges today and in the future are unemployment and poverty. The number of jobless workers continues to rise. Worse, the latest improvement in the unemployment rate is due mainly to fewer people looking for a job, as they become more pessimistic in finding one.
I have no excuse but my commentaries are intact
Professor Noel de Dios, my colleague at the UP School of Economics, correctly pointed out some errors in my article, “We’re losing the war against unemployment.” I have no excuse for the obvious misreading of some labor numbers. However, my commentaries are intact.
Incredible but true: two of three underemployed workers are not paid
The twin problem of joblessness and poverty will define President Benigno S. C. Aquino III’s presidency. After five years in office, he has failed to put a dent on the unemployment and underemployment problem; in fact, one can make a strong case that it has worsened under his watch.
Dear Ben…
Your column raised some good points. Unfortunately, the piece was marred by errors in some of the statistics and computations you use. I'm sorry, but I think we need to correct them for pedagogical reasons.
We’re losing the war against unemployment
President Aquino III and his economic managers boast that the Philippines is the fastest growing country in the Asia. (Not true, because in reality, China, India, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar continue to outgrow us.) Yet the Philippines remains the poorest in terms of per capita income and the worst in terms of providing decent jobs...
Elpidio Quirino’s minimum wage law
Yesterday was Labor Day. I doubt that many Filipinos remember that the first Minimum Wage Law in the Philippines (Republic Act No. 602) was enacted 64 years ago (April 6, 1951), during the administration of President Elpidio Quirino.
The Bangsamoro’s labor market policies: how to promote more employment and eradicate poverty
Provinces in the Bangsamoro region are among the poorest areas in the country. There, poverty is severe and unemployment(including underemployment) is a big problem.
