One of the most important development challenges that confronts
the Philippines in the years ahead is the need to provide jobs
to the currently unemployed and underemployed members of the
labor force as well as to the 600,000_650,000 persons who join the
labor force every year. Accordingly, employment promotion remains
a high priority in our country's total development efforts.
This study on Philippine employment in the seventies by Rosa
Linda P. Tidalgo and Emmanuel F. Esguerra presents valuable information
and insights on the Philippine employment scenario. It
reviews the findings and recommendations of employment research,
highlights the employment experience in the 70's, evaluates the overall
policy framework for employment promotion, assesses the state
of Philippine employment statistics,and indicates the factors which
should be considered in formulating employment policy. The problems
identified in the study, e.g., the capital-bias promoted by the
structure of economic incentives and pattern of industrialization; the
failure of the industrial sector to absorb labor from agriculture; the
need for timely and accurate information on employment; and the
need to harmonize employment policies with other development
policies, do not require further emphasis.Certainly, sustained national
development depends a great deal on how these problems are
approached and resolved.
It is hoped that this study can in one way or another assist in
promoting more effective and consistent employment policies and
programs in the future
