Unemployment rate softens in July but available jobs less stable

MANILA, Philippines (Update 1, 11:40 a.m.) — The country’s unemployment rate eased in July, but quality of available jobs deteriorated during the month while many Filipinos have given up looking for work, exacerbating pandemic hardships.

A quarterly survey of 121,990 families nationwide showed there were 3.07 million people who were either unemployed or out of business in July, lower than 4.57 million in April, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Tuesday. That figure translates to a jobless rate of 6.9% in July, down from 8.7% recorded in the previous quarter.

The unemployment rate went down as more Filipinos find work amid easing pandemic restrictions. Among major industries, the professional, scientific and technical activities posted the largest month-on-month increase in employment, followed by administrative and support service activities.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/09/07/2125471/unemployment-rate-softens-july-available-jobs-less-stable