In many parts of the Philippines, people wake up each day unsure if they’ll earn enough to feed their families. While some have no jobs at all, others work, but not enough to make ends meet. This is the reality of unemployment and underemployment, two challenges that affect millions of Filipinos.
What Do These Words
Mean?
- Unemployed: People who are actively looking for
work but can’t find any.
- Underemployed: People who have jobs, but those jobs don’t
give them enough hours, income, or match their skills.
Who Are the Faces
Behind the Numbers?
- Young people fresh out of school often struggle to
find jobs that match their education.
- Farmers and
rural workers may only find
work during harvest season.
- Informal
workers, like street
vendors or tricycle drivers, earn money, but without job security or
benefits.
Many Filipinos work
hard, but still live in poverty. Some juggle multiple part-time jobs. Others
accept work far below their qualifications just to survive.
Why Is This Happening?
Several reasons:
- Not enough
stable jobs: Many businesses
offer short-term or low-paying work.
- Skills
mismatch: Some workers
don’t have the training needed for available jobs.
- Economic gaps: Cities have more opportunities than
rural areas.
- Global changes: Technology and automation are changing
the kinds of jobs that exist.
What Can Be Done?
To help people find
better work, the country needs:
- More training
programs that match real
job needs
- Support for
small businesses and farmers
- Better
internet and infrastructure in rural areas
- Laws that
protect workers and promote fair
wages
Real Voices
“I studied to be a
teacher, but I sell snacks on the street. It’s the only way I can earn right
now.”
— Ana, 29, Quezon Province
“I work part-time in a
store, but I still need to borrow money to pay rent.”
— Rico, 41, Manila
Hopeful Future
Solving unemployment
and underemployment isn’t just about numbers—it’s about dignity, fairness, and
opportunity. Every Filipino deserves a chance to work, grow, and live with
pride.
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