An inter-agency task force is being established in the Philippines to help create jobs.

Government agencies led by the Department of Trade and Industry signed a Joint Memorandum Order signaling the formal creation of the inter-agency task force on the country’s National Employment Recovery Strategy.

According to HRM Asia, the NERS Task Force aims to bump up the number of jobs to boost the local economy badly affected by the pandemic.

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, who serves as Task Force Chairperson, said, “This strategy brings together various measures, programs and institutions that influence the demand and supply of labour, as well as the functioning of labour markets. These, in turn, will restart economic activities, restore business confidence, upgrade and retool the workforce, and facilitate access to labour markets.”

Lopez noted that, while there are already seeing signs of economic recovery, the country’s GDP for 2020 was at -9.5% and unemployment was still estimated at 8.7%.

The Labour Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported the country’s unemployment rate in October 2020 was estimated at 8.7%, from a record high of 17.7% in April during the height of the community lockdown. This is far from the country’s average of around 5% unemployment rate before the pandemic.

Lopez added that vital wide-ranging and integrated policy measures are needed. These should focus on: stimulating the economy and jobs; supporting enterprises, employment and incomes; and protecting workers in the workplace, including occupational safety and health.

“Our efforts are directed towards the swift recovery of affected businesses to spur job creation and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos,” Lopez said.

Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles said, “To the NERS Task Force, there is a lot of hard work ahead, but just thinking of the employment we will help create and keep, and the lives that we will help make better, is more than enough motivation to press on.

Lopez added, ““Our goal to create employment opportunities and improving employability of Filipinos during the pandemic will also prepare us for the future rife with Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.”