The Makati Business Club (MBC) warned of possible effects on skilled Filipino workers, particularly in the electronics sector, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) the 17 percent tariff imposed by President Trump on Philippine exports to the U.S.
In a statement issued on the occasion of the Labor Day celebration, MBC urged the government to ensure that skills training to workers and jobs are provided during these uncertain times.
MBC cited the potential impact of the Trump tariffs to workers in the exports sector, particularly electronics. The Trump tariffs may also impact the jobs of OFWs, MBC said.
“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,” the MBC statement added.
While the trend of unemployment has been going down, many Filipino workers still face challenges in a global economy that has become increasingly uncertain, MBC said.
According to a December 2024 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), around 14 percent of jobs in the Philippines are “low-complementarity jobs” or jobs at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) while more than 50 percent 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 percent of Filipino workers lack the necessary skills for in-demand jobs.
MBC lauded 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.
Composed of Makati-based businesses, MBC is also urging 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,” it added.
