Hirings outpace separation in Q1

MANILA, Philippines — Hirings outpaced separations nationwide in the first quarter of the year as more workers were absorbed in the industry sector, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said yesterday.

Results of the first nationwide Labor Turnover Survey conducted for the first three months of 2018 showed a labor turnover rate of 1.94 percent, inferring that 19 workers per 1,000 employed Filipinos were added to the workforce in all establishments nationwide.

In the first quarter of the year, PSA identified 30,508 establishments with an estimated employment of 4.74 million.

The accession rate stood at 9.53 percent, indicating the addition of 95 workers per 1,000 employed in these establishments. Hiring grew because of business expansion or replacement of separated workers.

Separation rate, meanwhile, was placed at 7.59 percent, implying that for every 1,000 employed, 76 workers were either laid off or quit their jobs.

The highest turnover rate, meanwhile, was recorded in the industry sector at 3.69 percent, with an accession rate of 12.28 percent and separation rate of 8.59 percent.

PSA said all industries under this sector posted employment gains which were most pronounced in manufacturing.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector also posted a positive labor turnover rate of 2.07 percent, in which accession and separation of workers were registered at 6.97 percent and 4.90 percent, respectively.

Among the three major sectors, the services recorded the lowest turnover rate at 1.37 percent.

PSA said most industries under this sector posted negative labor turnover rates. Among these were real estate activities and education.