DOLE launches biggest jobs fair on May 1

MANILA, Philippines - As Labor Day seeks to recognize and appreciate the contribution of workforce in society, an event that will help the workers cope with financial crisis is set to happen on May 1. Dubbed as "Labor Day Tayo Na! Trabaho Na! Jobapalooza 09", it is expected to be the biggest local and overseas job fair in the Philippines. The event that will be led by the largest labor unions in the country aims to offer assistance and lighten the plight of workers affected by the economic crisis. Job fairs will simultaneously be held on all Philippine regions on May 1, 2009, Labor Day. According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), To be held in 16 regions, Jobapalooza '09, will be held in participation of representatives from both the government and private industries; sponsoring firms, employers, recruitment agencies, local government units, Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), and the DOLE and other government agencies. Labor Secretary, Mariantio Roque said that to really lessen the impact of financial crisis in the country, collective action and mutual collaboration is required, thus the need for the government and private sector to work hand in hand. The job fair to be held all over the Philippines targets to offer employment opportunities to retrenched workers and new graduates. Job opportunities both for local companies and abroad will be available in the job fair. The main launching of Jobapalooza ’09 will happen on May 1, at the SMX Convention Hall at SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City to be led by none other than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Launching of the job fair in other regions will be led by DOLE and their social partners in their areas of jurisdiction. Thousands of job opportunities here and overseas are expected to be offered on the said job fair as Roque informed that an estimate of a thousand employers and recruitment agencies would participate in the event. Attendees of this event will also benefit from other activities such as skills demonstration, livelihood products display and sales, and distribution of training and scholarship certificates. To formally close the event, a tribute concert for the Filipino workforce will be held. Called the "Alay sa Manggagawang Pilipino" concert, top Philippine bands will perform at the MOA grounds. Roque praised all organized sector and the sponsoring companies that coordinated with DOLE and made the planning and organizing of the Labor Day Jobalooza possible. The participating trade unions are the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Associated Labor Union, Philippine Transport General Workers Organization, All Workers Alliance Trade Union, Trade Union of the Philippines and Allied Services, Alliance of Filipino Workers, Philippine Organization of Labor Unions, and the National Association of Trade Union. The sponsoring partners are Globe Telecom, Banco De Oro, SM, Jobstreet,com, STI, Philippine Online Chronicles, and the City Government of Manila. - OFW Guide