AN initiative aiming to generate 1 million jobs this year is delaying its timeline by a month due to the implementation of strict lockdown measures in August.
Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said in a Laging Handa briefing on Monday that the 1-million job target will not be achieved this year. Still, he is optimistic that it will be realized given a longer period.
“Tingin namin, ’yung 1 million jobs, maa-attain ’yun. Kung ma-delay man, isang buwan siguro sa January [We believe that the 1-million job target will be achieved. If there is delay, it will be one month or until January]” he said.
Ortiz-Luis said that placing Metro Manila under the enhanced community quarantine measure back in August derailed the goal by a month.
Based on latest data, the ECOP official said that the initiative has produced 250,000 jobs or 25 percent of the target. These mostly include employment from the business process outsourcing, construction and hospitality, he said.
The initiative was launched in June in partnership with the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) Task Force in a bid to support the government’s employment recovery plan following the surge in joblessness amid the pandemic.
Apart from ECOP, the following are also taking part in the project: Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, Philippine Constructors Association, Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. and Semiconductor and Electronic Industries in the Philippines Inc.
“The project aims to immediately source Filipino talents for deployment in the construction, manufacturing [particularly semiconductors and electronics], tourism and hospitality, and export industries, under a policy environment that would help create jobs all over the country,” the manifesto reads.
Meanwhile, the umbrella organization of employers welcomed the easing to Alert Level 2 for Metro Manila as this will help workers to return to their jobs, especially for the non-essential sector.
The loosening of mobility curbs will help in the recovery of the businesses, Ortiz-Luis said. However, it will still take them about two years to fully recoup their losses amid the pandemic, he added.
With more mobility, Ortiz-Luis reminded the employers to follow health protocols in the office as more employees are likely to report physically.
Still, he is worried that the transportation capacity is not enough to cater to the passenger mobility.
“Ma-solve sana yung problema natin sa transportation. Parang hindi handa ang transportation sa pagtanggap ng mga pasahero (Hopefully, the problem in transportation will be resolved. It appears that our transportation is not ready to receive the passengers),” he said.
The ECOP official also urged the small businesses to take advantage of the 13th month salary loan window so they can pay their employees.
Last month, the the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its financing arm Small Business Corporation, announced the opening of a loan facility assisting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in paying 13th-month salaries.
The DTI previously said there is “no reason to defer the 13th month pay” because the government can provide financial assistance to the business sector.