Philippines to offer 115,000+ jobs at nationwide Labor Day job fairs amid improving employment outlook

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to open more than 115,000 job opportunities nationwide as it rolls out Labor Day job fairs on May 1, 2026, in a bid to boost employment access and support the country’s still-recovering labor market.

In a statement released on April 23, DOLE said at least 115,358 vacancies will be available across 88 job fair sites, with most venues strategically located in shopping malls to maximize accessibility and footfall. The number of openings is expected to rise further in the lead-up to Labor Day, as more employers confirm participation.

A total of 1,280 local companies are expected to take part in the simultaneous hiring events, offering roles across key sectors such as retail, manufacturing, construction, business process outsourcing (BPO), and hospitality. 

Among the most in-demand positions are sales associates and stock clerks, production workers, construction laborers, customer service representatives, and food service staff including baristas and line cooks.

The initiative aligns with the employment generation agenda of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., whose administration has prioritized poverty reduction through expanded job creation and workforce reintegration.

The job fairs come as the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority points to gradual improvements in labor market conditions, albeit with lingering challenges. The country’s unemployment rate eased to 5.1% in February 2026 from 5.8% in January, although it remains above the 3.8% recorded a year earlier.

In absolute terms, around 2.66 million Filipinos were unemployed in February, down from 2.96 million in the previous month. Total employment rose to 49.43 million, reflecting gains in sectors such as administrative services, transportation, and hospitality.

However, underemployment, a key concern for policymakers, stood at 11.8%, with approximately 5.84 million workers seeking additional hours or better-paying jobs. The services sector continued to dominate employment, accounting for 63.5% of the workforce, followed by agriculture (18.8%) and industry (17.7%).

DOLE has encouraged job seekers to attend the fairs with multiple copies of their resumes and valid identification documents to facilitate faster processing, as the government seeks to connect job-ready individuals with immediate employment opportunities.