Joblessness rate found lowest in a year

Posted on December 04, 2014 11:29:00 PM

By Imee Charlee C. Delavin, Reporter

ADULT JOBLESSNESS in the country slipped to its lowest level in a year, according to a third-quarter report of the Social Weather Stations (SWS), which also noted that optimism on availability of work in the next 12 months improved.

Results of a September 26-29 survey among 1,200 respondents nationwide — with sampling error margins of ±3% for national and ±6% for area percentages — logged joblessness rate at 22.9%, equivalent to an estimated 10.4 million adult Filipinos, down three points from the 25.9% (est.11.8 million) recorded in the second quarter and the lowest since the September 2013 survey’s 21.7%.

The SWS said adult joblessness has been on a downward trend since the record-high 34.4% in March 2012.

As joblessness among Filipinos fell, optimism that work would become available in the next 12 months improved.

Net optimism on job availability — the difference between those expecting more jobs over those who see less — increased by eight points to a “fair” +12 from the “mediocre” +4 recorded in the second quarter.

Thirty-three percent (from 32% in the second quarter) of respondents said the number of jobs in the next 12 months will increase, 33% (from 29%) said it would stay the same and 22% (from 28%) said these would decrease.

The SWS classifies net optimism on job availability scores of +30 and above as “very high”; +20 to +29, “high”; +10 to +19, “fair; +1 to +9, “mediocre”; zero to -9, “low”; and -10 and below, “very low.”

A Malacañang official said the results show the government’s job creation efforts are “gaining ground” while, an analyst said the survey merely reflects “seasonal jobs” associated with Christmas.

“Adult joblessness has traditionally been dominated by those who voluntarily left their old jobs and those who lost their jobs due to economic circumstances beyond their control,” the report explained.

SWS noted that the jobless in the September report consisted of those:

• who resigned (12% or an estimated 5.5 million adults, “barely” changed from June’s 13% but up from September 2013’s 9%);

• were retrenched or whose employers shuttered operation (7% or an estimated 3.3 million adults, down from June’s 9% and flat from a year ago); or

• were first-time job-seekers (3% or an estimated 1.6 million adults, also “hardly” changed from June’s 4% and 5% the past year).

Broken down further, those who said in the September survey that they were retrenched consisted of 4% (from 6.3%) whose contracts were not renewed, 2% (from 1%) whose employers closed operations and 1% (from 1.5%) who were actually laid off.

Sought for comment, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr., said in a text message: “Intensive government efforts at skills building and capability enhancement are gaining ground and bearing fruit.”

“DoLE (Department of Labor and Employment), TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and other… government agencies will continue to deploy resources and focus on high poverty incidence areas to further reduce joblessness and unemployment.”

Ramon C. Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, said separately via text: “Generally, third-quarter figures reflect seasonal jobs related to the Christmas season.”

“Anticipation of jobs [for the next 12 months] in the third quarter was up since [respondents could be looking at] start of summer construction,” Mr. Casiple added.

“This is not conclusive as to impact of government job program.”

SWS’ report cannot be compared to the government’s unemployment data due to different definitions.

SWS survey respondents are at least 18 years old compared to the lower official boundary of 15 years of age.

Joblessness, SWS said of its report, is based on two traditional criteria: without a job at present and looking for a job. Hence, those not working but not looking for a job either — like housewives, students, as well as those retired and disabled — are excluded from the labor force.

In comparison, the government’s Labor Force Survey defines the unemployed using three concepts, namely: not working, looking for work and available for work. Hence, those who are not available for work — even though they are looking for a job — are excluded, while those available for work but are not seeking it (for reasons such as illness, belief that no job is available or waiting for results of a job interview, etc.) are included.

Applying the government’s criterion of availability, SWS said joblessness among adults in the third quarter was 15.4%, equivalent to an estimated 6.4 million Filipinos. That consists of 15.3% (6.3 million adults) who were not working, looking for work, and available for work and 0.2% (77,000 adults) who were not working, not looking for work but were otherwise available for work.

Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Joblessness-rate-found-lowest-in-a-year&id=99123