Low turnout of job hunters noted in Tacloban fair

TACLOBAN CITY, June 13 -- Only 410 applicants showed up to fill the 8,560 local and overseas jobs available during the Independence Day job and business fair in this city, prompting the Department of Labor and Employment to think of ways to get more local governments involved in employment facilitation.

DOLE Regional Director Joel Gonzales said on Tuesday that local government officials should inform jobless residents of employment opportunities weeks prior to the job fairs. 

The official said local governments are aware of the activity as they disseminated the announcement to the public employment service office in every cities and towns.

“There must have pre-registration in the local government level to find out how many qualified jobseekers are. If I am the mayor, I would provide a free transportation for them during job fairs,” Gonzales said.

All of the 410 applicants were found to be qualified in 785 positions during preliminary interviews done by 25 local employers and four overseas recruitment agencies. Some applicant signed up for more than two positions.

At least 96 applicants were hired on the spot, 53 were categorized as near hire applicants, 25 were referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for training, and six were referred to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for business venture.

Among the local jobs were cashiers, sales associate, engineers, chemists, accountants, electricians, production operators, utility workers, collection and credit supervisors, human resource supervisors, bus conductors, drivers, mechanics, and customer service representatives or agents.

DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras, chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Economic Development Committee said they will bring the advocacy to the RDC. 

“This is a good program to help people gain independence from poverty and financial difficulties. We want this to be a continuing program to reduce unemployment rate,” Nierras said.

The RDC official is also looking at tapping training centers and schools to prepare job hunters for job fairs.

The DTI participated in the employment fair by holding business start-up and franchising seminar for those who are not qualified or not interested on formal employment. (Sarwell Q. Meniano/PNA)