Jobless rate sees slight increase in September

The number of unemployed Filipinos inched up in September while labor force participation declined, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

Based on the latest Labor Force Survey, the unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent or 2.26 million, up from 4.4 percent in August or 2.21 million jobless individuals.

However, this was lower the five percent or 2.50 million jobless individuals registered in the same month last year.

The PSA also noted that underemployed persons saw a decrease of 10.7 percent or 5.11 million individuals, down from 11.7 percent in August and 15.4 percent in the same month last year.

Underemployed persons are defined as those who unwillingly work in jobs that do not match their skills.

PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Claire Dennis M. Mapa said that this could be attributed to less-quality jobs such as unpaid family workers and self-employed without employees.

The population of unpaid family workers in September decreased to 6.7 percent which is lower than August’s 8 percent, while self-employed without employees waned to 25.9 percent, down from 27.3 percent a month earlier.

Meanwhile, wage and salary workers saw a significant growth of 64.7 percent or 30.85 million individuals, higher than the 62.2 percent recorded in August and September last year.

On the other hand, the labor force participation rate was reduced in September to 49.93 million individuals, which was lower than the 50.29 million recorded in August and 50.8 million last year.

The labor force participation rate is the population of individuals who are working or actively seeking work.

Mapa attributed this to people who opted to go to school at 355,000 individuals and 124,000 individuals who were looking for work but were not available.

He also said that individuals who believe that there was no work available decreased to 140,000, which is lower than 154,000 individuals in August

Seasonal jobs

As the holiday approaches, it is also expected that seasonal jobs may increase in the last quarter of the year, Mapa said.

“During the last quarter, the number of workers usually increases, especially the short-term, seasonal, and contractual ones,” he said.

It is expected that this increase in seasonal jobs will mainly impact the retail and trade industry such as bazaars and department stores, the national statistician added.

On a month-on-month basis, the wholesale and retail trade industry saw a rise of employed persons at 9.96 million, higher than 9.81 million in August.

Mapa also added that jobs in accommodation and food service activities could also increase in the coming holiday season.

Workers in accommodation and food service activities increased in September with additional 603,000 individuals on a year-on-year basis, while 506,000 individuals on a month-on-month basis, he further said.