Underemployment rate in Zamboanga Peninsula has gone up, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-9).

Data from DOLE-9 showed that the underemployment rate in the region is 18.9 percent as of January 2024, which is 7.4 percent higher than the 11.5 percent rate recorded in October 2023.

This means that more than 200,000 out of 1.48 million individuals in the region are seeking for additional hours of work in their present jobs or additional jobs with respect to their skills and economic needs.

DOLE-9 said the underemployment rate went up due to the fish ban implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Zamboanga Peninsula (BFAR-9) last November 15, 2023 to February 15, 2024, which displaced fishing and canning factory workers.

“Nakahatag tag employment para sa mga na-employed na mga individuals pero kulang pa. kulang ang income,” DOLE-9 Director, Albert Gutib, said.

To address the situation, DOLE-9 is set to hold a job fair on May 1, 2024, in time for the Labor Day in Zamboanga City.

The activity will be participated by 45 local companies and overseas recruitment agencies with more than 4,000 job vacancies available.

Jobseekers are urged to register online to speed up the job application process.

Similar event will also be held in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City in Basilan.

“Ipakita lang nila didto ang proof that pre-resitered sila didto sa secretariat para mahatagan sila og counseling sa atung mga partners also from the academe from the job placement office nga maoy mo-advice sa ilaha kung ang ilang skills, competencies ,haum ba sa ilang gi-applyan nga job vacancies,” Gutib added.