Unemployment hits 1.95 million in the Philippines, with online gambling layoffs cited as a contributing factor
The number of jobless Filipinos rose to 1.95 million in June from 1.62 million last year, driven by layoffs in the gambling industry.
Coupled with a rise in unpaid work, the unemployment rate increased to 3.7% from 3.1% in June, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Deputy National Statistician and Philippine Statistics Authority Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia L. Del Prado told reporters during a press briefing on 6 August, “Gambling and betting activities contributed to the drop in arts, entertainment, and recreation, along with other amusement and recreation activities.”
In total, the gambling and betting subsector lost nearly 210,000 jobs, at a time when politicians and religious leaders have been voicing concerns about the social effects of gambling.
Filipino lawmakers are pushing for a total ban on online gambling, with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri introducing the Anti-Online Gambling Act last month.
The Philippines Palace also announced this week that it would be conducting a data-driven study on online gambling, amid criticism sparked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s silence on the topic.
Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan acknowledged the concerns raised by the growth of unemployment, especially youth unemployment, and said the government was ramping up reforms to align education with market needs.
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