DOLE looking at 4 sectors for job generation

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is looking at four sectors to generate jobs to lift the country out of the economic doldrums and get back to pre-pandemic levels.

Among the sectors that DOLE is eyeing to generate jobs for workers are health and wellness; wholesale and retail; construction and the government, according to Labor Assistant Secretary Domingue Tutay.

Tutay yesterday said it may take three years for the economy to recover from the downward spiral caused by COVID-19 and the extended quarantine, if not next year then by early 2023.

However, if this is not possible, “we are looking at three years for us to be able to go back to pre-pandemic stage,” she said at a press conference.

But while the country may not fully recover this year, she said 2021 will be “a better year than 2020.”

Tutay noted that currently, they are looking at some 2.4 million to 2.8 million job opportunities under the Philippine Development Plan.

“That’s the target. We do hope that we will be able to generate employment for 2021,” she added.

Tutay said the wholesale and retail sector will be propelled by online trading while the high demand for the construction sector is due to the infrastructure projects of the government.

She said the job prospects in government require “eligibility.”