Around 200,000 jobs up for grabs on Labor Day

Metro Manila, Philippines - Around 200,000 jobs in and out of the country were up for grabs in the nationwide job fair organized by the government for Labor Day on Thursday, May 1.

The jobs weree offered in 69 job fair sites across the country.

The government set up medical buses where job seekers availed of free laboratory tests and X-ray, which are the usual employment requirements.

A one-stop shop with government agency booths, such as the Social Security System and the Philippine Health Insurance, was also put up for job seekers to conveniently obtain an identification card.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, one of the venues of the job fair, to check on the activity.

Marcos addressed calls for a wage hike, saying the measure should be studied carefully.

“Ang mga ito ay may epekto sa paglago ng negosyo, trabaho, at ekonomiya,” he said in a speech.

[Translation: These proposals have an effect on the growth of businesses, jobs, and the economy.]

“We hear the call of our workers for better wages and I assure you that your concerns are being addressed through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board,” he added.

Some of the job seekers at the SMX Convention Center even came from neighboring provinces.

“‘Pag online, mostly tatawagan ka niyan ilang weeks pa po,” said first-time job seeker Ariane Aguilar, who traveled from Batangas. “Mas maganda po nandito kasi alam mo na ‘yung process, nakausap mo rin ‘yung mga HR (human resources manager), employer.”

[Translation: When you apply online, it would take weeks before you receive a call from the employer. It is better to apply physically to be familiar with the process and to talk directly to the HR and employer.]

“‘Yung mga gan’to na [These] physical na - face-to-face na job fairs is really a great help to those Filipinos na hindi pa masyadong [who are not] digitally-inclined,” Ryan Arazodon from Bulacan said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte also honored Filipino workers.

“Ako ay sumasaludo sa inyong katatagan, talino, at kasipagan na inyong ipinapakita sa inyong kani-kaniyang sektor, sa loob man o sa labas ng bansa,” Duterte said in a statement.

[Translation: I salute the stability, intelligence, and diligence that you show in your respective sectors, in and outside of the country.]

“Anumang hamon ang ating kinakaharap sa kasalukuyan, nawa’y manatili tayong matatag, matiyaga, at mapagpursige sa ating nagkakaisang hangarin para sa tunay na kaunlaran at makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating bansa,” she said.

[Translation: Whatever challenge we are facing, may we continue to be strong, diligent, and persistent to achieve our goal for real success and change in our country.]