DOLE hopes labor market will recover as economy gradually opens

DOLE expressed hope that employment will improve as the economy gradually reopens.

The department anticipated a high unemployment rate in April due to COVID-19's impact on economic activities.

Unemployment reached 17.7%, affecting 7.3 million Filipinos, according to PSA data.

Before the pandemic, Philippine employment was expanding at 4% with 1.6 million net jobs created.

The strict quarantine from March to May forced businesses to close temporarily and displaced millions of workers.

As quarantine measures eased in mid-May, some businesses were allowed to reopen, prompting DOLE's optimism for labor market recovery.

DOLE committed to providing employment facilitation services through various platforms and thanked the private sector for extending job opportunities.