DOLE monitoring impact of e-vehicle shift on local employment

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is closely watching the impact on local employment because of the shift from gasoline to electric vehicles.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma admitted that the transition from gasoline to e-vehicles could lead to possible displacement of workers in the private sector.

“DOLE constantly monitors any disruption or development in the labor market, including the modernization of transport vehicles, ever mindful that any transformation will have effects on the world of work,” Laguesma said.

Laguesma noted that the objective of transport modernization is to enhance the transport system and reduce its impact on the environment. However, he said, DOLE also recognized the effects of the transition to the workforce.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) previously projected that about two to three million jobs may be lost in the next three to five years as a result of transport modernization.

While admitting the transition could trigger job losses, Laguesma said DOLE could not determine at this time whether the ECOP projection is accurate as the agency has no study that could substantiate ECOP’s claim.

However, Laguesma gave assurance that DOLE can provide skills training to affected workers, employment facilitation, and livelihood assistance for those who would opt for self-employment. Social protection and unemployment insurance will also be readily available to affected transport workers.

The labor chief said he also intends to sit down with ECOP to determine the basis of its projection.

“This will enable the DOLE to plan and calibrate possible interventions to help those who might be affected as we are doing now in partnership with DOTr in our joint program Entsuperneurship,” Laguesma said.