According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the effects of the global economic crisis on the employment sector has gradually decreased as more workers who were temporarily laid off or placed under flexible work arrangements have returned to their regular jobs.

Based on the data from the Bureau of Labor and Employment, DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque cited that over 14,000 workers have returned to their regular workload. These include 7,975 workers in 29 firms from Region IV-A (Calabarzon), 2,418 workers in 11 firms from Region 3 (Central Luzon), 1,712 workers in seven firms from Region 12 (Davao), and 1,588 workers in two firms from Cordillera Administrative Region.

In a statement posted in the DOLE website, Sec. Roque said, “the positive development is an indication that more affected workers would be returning to their regular jobs. “ The Secretary added that several firms are slowly returning to their normal operations and work hours. As such, workers who were laid off on a temporary basis where called back to work for their companies.

Furthermore, Sec. Roque revealed that despite the crisis, investors are coming in to the country to establish their businesses, paving the way to job generation and employment. The Cavite Economic Zone, for example, attracted new investors aiming to put up new hotels and resorts in the country.

Meanwhile, the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) being displaced has decreased “to almost negligible levels” according to DOLE Undersecretary Rosalinda Baldoz in her interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer. In the same interview, Usec. Baldoz disclosed that employment situation in Taiwan has significantly improved. Sec. Roque revealed that 851 laid off OFWs were rehired by their foreign employers. On the other hand, 468 Filipino workers found new jobs in Taiwan last March.

The Labor Secretary also said that companies affected by the global crisis are retaining the OFWs to avoid losing their quotas and in anticipation of improvement in the economy of Taiwan in the fourth quarter.