MBC Labor Day 2025 Statement

01 May 2025 – The Makati Business Club pays tribute to Filipino workers in light of this Labor Day. While the trend of unemployment has been going down, many Filipino workers still face challenges in a global economy that has become increasingly uncertain. According to a December 2024 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), around 14% of jobs in the Philippines are “low-complementarity jobs” or jobs at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) while more than 50% are considered “highly complementary” meaning that AI can assist in certain tasks but not entirely replace. A 2024 study by the Philippine Institute of Development studies noted that around 29% of Filipino workers lack the necessary skills for in-demand jobs.

The Makati Business Club lauds the passage of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act which we believe can help reskill and upskill thousands of Filipino workers, however, the government needs to continue its efforts in ensuring that no Filipino worker gets left behind the increasing growth of AI adaptation. The Makati Business Club also advocates for the passage of the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act in the upcoming 20th Congress. We believe this reform will contribute to creating a more skilled and competitive Filipino workforce.

The Makati Business Club would also like to flag the possible effects of the 17% tariff imposed by the government of the United States to the Philippines on skilled Filipino workers employed in export sectors. Other recent policies of the United States government may also impact the jobs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) hence, the government must also look into ensuring that skills training and jobs may be provided for them during these uncertain times.

MBC continues to advocate and offer its support to the government towards a strong and skilled labor force as well as inclusive and accessible skills training programs which has become all the more relevant in an increasingly uncertain global economy.