The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to launch over 115,000 job openings across 88 nationwide job fairs on May 1, Labour Day. Backed by 1,280 employers, this initiative targets key sectors like retail, manufacturing, construction, BPO, and hospitality to aid poverty reduction under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda.
As of April 23, DOLE confirmed 115,358 vacancies, with numbers expected to grow as more firms join. Most fairs will occur in shopping malls for easy access, drawing job seekers from cities and rural areas. High-demand roles include sales associates and stock clerks in retail, production workers in manufacturing, carpenters and steelworkers in construction, customer service reps in BPO, and service crew or cooks in hospitality.
This push comes amid improving labor trends: unemployment dropped to 5.1% in February 2026 from 5.8% in January, though still above last year’s 3.8%. DOLE urges applicants to bring resumes and valid IDs for on-the-spot hiring, aiming to connect workers directly with opportunities and speed up employment.
The fairs build on past successes, like January 2026 events yielding over 2,400 hires, and support Marcos Jr.’s focus on workforce growth. By bridging job seekers and employers, DOLE seeks to lower poverty and strengthen the economy, especially in recovering sectors post-pandemic.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
1. When and where are the job fairs?
Fairs run on May 1 at 88 sites nationwide, mostly in malls for accessibility. Check DOLE regional offices for exact locations.
2. What jobs are available?
Over 115,358 roles in retail (sales clerks), manufacturing (production), construction (carpenters), BPO (customer service), and hospitality (cooks, crew).
3. How to apply?
Bring multiple resume copies and valid ID for on-site interviews. No pre-registration needed; hiring can happen immediately.