MANILA, Philippines — The country should “safely reopen” businesses to address rising unemployment rate in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) within the NCR Plus from March to April and modified ECQ in May have “significantly affected” the economy.
The unemployment rate increased to 8.7 percent or 4.1 million unemployed, from 7.1 percent or 3.4 million unemployed in March, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
READ: PH unemployment rate rose in April 2021 after ECQ reimposition
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