The renewed surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country and the recent aftermath of Typhoon "Odette" may adversely affect the expected recovery in the country's employment sector, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

In his statement on the November 2021 Labor Force Survey, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the recent survey results affirmed the Department's view that the country is on the path towards recovery of the labor market.

However, Bello said the onslaught of Typhoon Odette and the sudden surge of COVID-19 infections due to the Omicron variant will "derail sustained economic and employment recovery."

Based on the latest survey, employment in the country significantly increased by 1.651 million, from 43.826 million in October 2021 to 45.477 million in November 2021.

Similar results were also observed in the employment rate from 92.6 percent to 93.5 percent during the same period.

While the unemployment rate saw a drastic decline from 7.4 percent (October 2021) to 6.5 percent (November 2021), the underemployment level rise by 573,000 which Bello said is a "reminder that much has still to be done to improve the quality of work."

The labor chief attributed these results to the easing of quarantine restrictions in November last year in many areas, including Metro Manila which was placed under Alert Level 2.

"This allowed commercial establishments, including resorts and restaurants whose contribution to employment is significant, to operate at 80 percent capacity which created more job opportunities for workers and demand for business," he said.

With the current surge resulting in tighter restrictions, Bello assured that the Department is ready to provide aid to workers who will be affected.

The DOLE earlier said it already allocated some P1 billion aid for workers in the formal sector who may be affected by the stricter alert level, while emergency employment programs and livelihood assistance are also in place.

"The whole of government continues to work to increase vaccine coverage, safely reopen more businesses, and focus on improving the labor market through the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) 2021-2022," Bello said.

Bello also urged Filipino workers to already get their jabs or boosters, and to strictly adhere to the minimum public health and standards and occupational safety and health policies to ensure continued recovery of the sector.

" remains steadfast in working together with the NERS Task Force and the private sector to actively support initiatives towards sustained improvement and recovery of our labor market," he added.