In celebration of the Labor Day on May 1, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will hold a local and overseas jobs and livelihood fair for Filipinos who are searching for employment and livelihood opportunities. This yearly event will be held simultaneously in different parts of the Philippines on Labor Day.

According to the Labor Secretary, Marianito D. Roque, the job fair this year will be led by the biggest labor groups in the country such as the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), National Alliance of Trade Unions (NATU), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Trade Unions of the Philippines and Allied Services (TUPAS), Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW), and other labor organizations.

The theme for this year is “Manggagawang Pilipino, Kaagapay sa Pagbabago. It emphasizes the important contributions of the Filipino workers both in the local and overseas job market in the road to achieving economic development.

Meanwhile, local employers and overseas recruitment and manning agencies are expected to participate in the celebration by offering thousands of local and overseas jobs at the May 1 nationwide Job and Livelihood Fair. The Fair will open from 9 am to 5 pm.

The Labor and Employment Secretary said the DOLE in Regions 1 to 12 including those in CAR, CARAGA, and NCR have begun the groundwork for the participation of employers and the recruitment/manning agencies’ in the Labor Day Job and Livelihood Fair.

The main event will be held at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.   To avoid heavy concentration of jobseekers at SMX, the employers and recruitment/manning firms will also be distributed and placed in five other Job and Livelihood Fair venues at Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM San Lazaro, and SM South in Las Pinas. Similar events will likewise be held in 14 other key regional sites around the country.

Jobseekers who wish to attend in this event are encouraged by the Labor Secretary to register online from April 8 to April 30. The purpose of the registration is to make the process of matching applicants with appropriate jobs based on their skills and credentials much faster. Click here to register.

Other government agencies such as DFA, NSO, BIR, SSS, and PhilHealth, PRC, etc. will also be there to offer their services and answer inquiries of the jobseekers. This means that there will be a one-stop shop where applicants can avail of employment requirements.

The event will also feature livelihood programs of DOLE and other government agencies that will include display and selling of products of livelihood program beneficiaries. Roque said that there will be a booth to inform attendees about  livelihood and productivity programs. Business counseling and entrepreneurship orientation will also be provided to interested workers.   Interested registered nurses who want to venture in other health and wellness services may also be assisted under Project EntrepeNurse.

At the same time, TESDA will conduct skills competition, demonstration, and training. Other agencies will provide basic medical and first aid services, and legal and welfare assistance. 

This event is open to everyone as admission is free. Applicants are advised to come in decent attire and bring important documents necessary in job application such as resumes, school credentials, employment certificates, etc.