Blame 'loser' gov’t programs on higher jobless rate, not new graduates

Reveal data on retrenchment, contractualization, DOLE urged

Go straight to the point: the Arroyo regime’s job generation effort to cut the growing number of unemployed is a flop.

This was the criticism of Kilusang Mayo Uno to the excuses made by government officials on the higher jobless rate in July, saying the labor department and the National Economic Development Agency cannot just simply cite the influx of new graduates and the crisis as reasons.

“We would not be surprised if there is an increase in the number of unemployed since the Arroyo regime has failed to create decent and stable jobs at the onset. It has even facilitated mass job cuts in many factories by letting big businesses use the crisis as license to retrench workers,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog.

“This regime is too stupid to simply blame new entrants in the rise in unemployment rate instead of admitting its failure to create sufficient jobs year-on-year,” he added.

‘Loser’ programs

Labog said the government’s Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP) and Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) has not addressed the lack of decent domestic jobs and has instead generated low-income and temporary jobs.

The P160-billion under the ERP that is used for infrastructure programs has generated poor quality jobs on a per project basis. Meanwhile, employment that last for only three months are offered under CLEEP. “These programs only create a cycle of joblessness that worsens each turn as Filipinos sink deeper into poverty,” Labog said.

Show us the figures

KMU also challenged the labor department to release data on retrenchment and contractualization instead of just citing employment figures, which are marked by distorted definitions of unemployment and underemployment.

“Are they afraid to reveal the grim massacre of livelihood and the sheer exploitation of labor in the country? It seems that this regime is inclined to report only fantasies and distortions,” said Labog.

Labog said that “in times of economic slump, job generation efforts must be focused on creating decent jobs to address basic social needs like healthcare, not on non-productive enterprises like infrastructure.”

 “In the long-term, genuine land reform coupled with national industrialization is the only solution in addressing the lack of domestic and stable jobs in country, as it will ensure stable jobs for everyone,” he added. ###