Jobstreet by SEEK Empowers Entrepreneurs at the MSME Summit

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain the backbone of the economy, comprising 99.5% of all registered businesses in the Philippines and creating 6 out of every 10 jobs*. While MSMEs offer vital contributions and express readiness to grow, many of them still face barriers, with talent crisis emerging as one of their biggest growth challenges.

In a survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 2024, 72% of MSME respondents said they want to expand their workforce; 82% want to upskill their current employees. However, the same survey revealed that 46% are experiencing a talent crisis—high demand, but hard to find quality candidates. 

In line with its commitment to equipping not just Filipino jobseekers but also business owners, Jobstreet by SEEK rolled out its MSME Summit, an initiative aimed at empowering them to grow, compete, and thrive in a dynamic business landscape.

In partnership with SM for MSMEs, the event at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall brought together MSME owners and industry leaders to discuss key challenges, opportunities, and strategies to growing your business, and make the hiring process easier and safer in finding the right candidates for their businesses. 

The MSME Summit was organized to equip MSME owners with the knowledge and tools to strengthen their business operations through workshops and learning sessions about marketing, logistics, digital platforms, and finance from different business and marketing thought leaders.

“Jobstreet by SEEK believes that every thriving economy is built on the shoulders of its resilient and growing MSMEs. By empowering them through events like the MSME Summit, we’re not only helping their businesses grow and connecting them with the right talent but also fueling job creation and strengthening the local employment,” said Dannah Majarocon, Jobstreet by SEEK’s Managing Director in the Philippines.

Free job posting on a legitimate job platform

To help minimize talent crisis among MSMEs, Jobstreet by SEEK urged business owners to utilize legitimate job platforms, as hiring scams continue to rise on social media platforms. Hiring platforms not only protect your business and reputation but also ensure that you reach the right and active jobseekers seeking opportunities.

To start with, MSME owners may take the first step in looking for candidates through its “SMEasy sa Jobstreet” initiative. This highlights its free and user-friendly job posting feature, making it easier for MSME owners to post a job ad on the job platform, with the potential of reaching thousands of talents from its nearly 14-million candidate user base nationwide.

For more information about Jobstreet by SEEK’s efforts for MSMEs, visit jobstreet.com.ph or their official Facebook page @JobstreetPH.

Get Hired on the Spot through GJobs LIVE Hiring Event, in Partnership with PasaJob, ActivAsia

Teaming up with PasaJob and ActivAsia, the Philippines’ leading finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem, GCash introduces GJobs HOTS (Hired On the Spot). GJobs HOTS a first-of-its-kind livestream hiring event for ActivAsia, designed to give Filipinos a faster and more accessible pathway to employment. The initiative provides an end-to-end, same-day hiring process to help address the challenge of underemployment.

 

For many Filipinos, landing jobs that match their skills and aspirations is still a struggle, pushing them to look for faster and more accessible ways to better opportunities. GJobs HOTS, powered by PasaJob, offers a digital solution where applicants can apply, be interviewed, and get hired all in a single day. This innovation helps streamline a process that traditionally takes weeks to complete.

 

At the center of the initiative is GJobs, a job platform feature within GCash that offers a convenient and accessible way for job seekers to explore various opportunities listed by PasaJobs for meaningful employment. During the first livestream, 88 vacancies were showcased, giving applicants a wide range of roles to choose from.  The program is delivered in collaboration with the partner employer of GCash, ActivAsia, which is one of the country’s leading integrated marketing agencies known for its expertise in brand activations and consumer engagement.  

 

GJobs HOTS redefines the job search by using live selling to bring jobs to people in an engaging way. During the livestream, hosts present available blue-collar positions, highlighting the number of openings, job locations, and benefits. Interested applicants simply comment “Mine, Trabaho!” to signal their intent to apply.

 

Candidates are encouraged to complete their GJobs profile and apply for open job positions. They will be contacted, interviewed, and notified of their application status all on the same day by ActivAsia.

 

The high level of engagement underscores the potential of livestreaming as an innovative recruitment channel and highlights how technology can open new doors to economic opportunities.

 

“With GJobs, we’re transforming the way Filipinos find jobs by making the entire hiring process possible in one day,” said Kristen Mariano, Founder of PasaJob. “This innovation is driven by our shared vision of creating accessible and meaningful work opportunities for more people.”

 

GJobs represents a step forward in how digital platforms can help address underemployment. By combining livestreaming with recruitment, job-seeking Filipinos are linked to work opportunities immediately. 

 

This initiative also strengthens the GJobs platform and solidifies the commitment of GCash to using Tech for Good, driving financial inclusion and helping Filipinos connect with meaningful work opportunities.

 

The GJobs hire on the spot livestreams will run on the official GCash TikTok account, @gcashofficial, and will be cross-streamed on Facebook. The livestreams are scheduled for October 11 and 25, 2025, from 4-6 PM.

 

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

DTI Business Counselors to use GJobs to help MSMEs Streamline Recruitment and Strengthen Employer Credibility

To address long-standing hiring challenges faced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Negosyo Centers, has onboarded its Business Counselors to GJobs—the job hunting and job referral platform powered by PasaJob within the GCash app. The move is part of DTI's broader push to harness technology in upskilling and elevating MSMEs. The platform provides small businesses with a low-cost, accessible way to recruit talent, formalize hiring practices, and establish employer credibility, even without a dedicated HR team or system.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) comprise 99.63% of all registered businesses in the Philippines and account for over 66.97% of total employment, according to 2023 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). However, a 2025 study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the DTI reports that only 13% of MSMEs plan to hire additional staff, with limited access to qualified talent and operational constraints among the top barriers. Many still rely on informal referrals or walk-ins, despite the rising complexity of digital and compliance requirements.

Business counselors, serving as frontline advisors, play a vital role in helping MSMEs navigate tools like GJobs and align staffing decisions with long-term growth goals. By enabling small enterprises to build more resilient teams, GJobs helps close long-standing productivity gaps and supports the competitiveness of the sector that employs the majority of the Filipino workforce.

“We recognize that hiring remains one of the most persistent pain points for small businesses. We want small business owners to be aware and take advantage of inclusive small business solutions such as GJobs,” said DTI regional operations group assistant secretary Grace Baluyan.

In its recent webinar, titled "Leveraging GJobs for MSME Recruitment and Strengthening Financial Literacy of Negosyo Center Business Counselors," the DTI strongly recommended that MSMEs leverage innovative talent recruitment solutions, such as GJobs, to help streamline hiring, formalize recruitment practices, and improve access to qualified candidates—all without the overhead cost of traditional methods.

GJobs, an in-app feature within the GCash platform, was developed in partnership with PasaJob to help small business employers access a pool of 2.4 million verified users. Designed to support hiring without functioning as a traditional job hunting and job referral platform, GJobs leverages incentive-based referrals through personal networks and operates on a pay-per-hire model—costs are incurred only when a successful hire is made.

This presents a cost-efficient advantage for MSMEs working with lean budgets. Early data show that job hiring timelines have been cut from 42 days to just 29, underscoring their impact on hiring efficiency and employer credibility.

“MSMEs need tools that match their realities. GJobs gives them reach, control, and affordability without requiring large HR investments,” said GCash VP and head of product innovation Leonardo Ferdinand Byron Perez.

By introducing inclusive job-hunting and job referral platforms like GJobs powered by PasaJob, DTI continues to advance efforts that level the playing field for small businesses—empowering MSMEs to thrive in the digital economy without compromising operational sustainability.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

SM CITY VALENZUELA’S OVERSEAS JOB FAIR OFFERS 2,977 GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

As the heat index in the Philippines continues to reach unprecedented levels, SM City Valenzuela has served as a beacon of hope for job seekers. Drawing a substantial crowd in the early hours of the morning, the mall transformed into a bustling sanctuary as eager individuals flocked to its atrium in search of employment. 

2,977 job opportunities were made available to eager applicants, all under one roof. This initiative not only provided relief from the scorching heat but also streamlined the job-hunting process for many individuals. 

"We understand the challenges that job seekers face, especially during these extreme weather conditions," said SM City Valenzuela Assistant Mall Manager Cenen Pamintuan. "By organizing this overseas job fair, we aimed to create a conducive environment where applicants can explore numerous employment opportunities conveniently without having to endure the sweltering heat," Mr. Pamintuan added. 

Employers from overseas employment agencies participated in the event, offering positions in sought-after destinations such as Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore, China, and other Asian countries. Representatives from various industries, including healthcare, hospitality, engineering, and information technology, were also on hand to engage with potential candidates.

The event's success not only underscores SM City Valenzuela's dedication to economic development but also highlights its role in providing vital resources to the local workforce, serving as a catalyst for progress in the community.

Filipino Healthcare Workers Discover Credible Overseas Jobs through Online Portal

Have you ever dreamt of living and working abroad? You're not the only one. The Philippines, renowned for its exceptional educational institutions and medical colleges, consistently produces top-tier healthcare professionals. Every year, hundreds of thousands of licensed Filipino healthcare workers pursue overseas employment, motivated by the prospect of career growth, higher pay, and the opportunity to work with the latest technologies in healthcare. In 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) estimated that 316,000 licensed Filipino nurses migrated overseas, marking a trend that continues to surge as more countries recognize the exceptional skills and qualities of Filipino healthcare workers. Just this year, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that by May 2023, 4,000 nurses had already been deployed abroad, surpassing half of the country’s maximum annual allocation of 7,000. This highlights the increasing global demand for Filipino medical professionals.

However, countless others are deprived of the same opportunities. Some fall victim to fake job advertisements, while others struggle to meet the job requirements, have unverified credentials, or limited finances. Fortunately, TrueProfile.io, an internationally recognized online healthcare career hub with over one million members, is expanding its presence in the Philippines to help bridge this gap and empower Filipino healthcare workers to prepare, apply, and secure medical jobs with credible international employers.

Not Your Typical Job Site

Considered the leading marketplace for healthcare professionals worldwide, TrueProfile.io is already a trusted choice for over 61,000 Filipino professionals pursuing overseas careers. The platform’s commitment to supporting the success of healthcare professionals is evident through its strategic partnerships with global healthcare organizations, recruitment agencies, and government regulators. Together, they streamline the job application and hiring process, providing a comprehensive support system for applicants from the initial application through to deployment.

Unlike traditional job portals that burden job seekers with placement fees, TrueProfile.io operates free of charge, removing financial barriers and giving healthcare professionals control of their careers.

Empowering Filipino professionals

In the past, Filipino job seekers often relied on private agencies, limiting their choices. Today, TrueProfile.io offers access to over 3,500 international jobs, allowing members to shortlist posts matching their experience and preferred employer, role, and location, and apply directly. Applicants are also encouraged to create a Digital CV and save their credentials and licenses within a Digital Wallet. This convenient feature allows candidates to manage and have full control of their information through blockchain technology, making it easier to access and share with potential employers.

TrueProfile.io goes beyond job listings, providing a range of career development services and resources. These include credential verification, licensing services, access to English language preparation, and concierge services. Members also benefit from expert career guidance to choose destinations aligned with their career aspirations. Additionally, they gain exclusive access to a dedicated virtual local community on Facebook, specifically tailored to the Filipino healthcare network. Within this community, they can exchange insights and address any concerns related to working abroad.

“TrueProfile.io serves as a unique online career hub, dedicated to supporting the professional growth of healthcare specialists. We recognize the invaluable contributions made by healthcare professionals worldwide and remain committed to empowering them by providing access to a wide range of growth opportunities. Our platform functions as a marketplace offering personalized services, including the creation of Digital CVs, Digital Wallets, verification, and concierge services. These services help professionals to secure rewarding employment opportunities that unlock their full potential. Ultimately, our mission is to enhance their quality of life and that of their loved ones." said Sunil Mudgal, Head of TrueProfile.io.

TrueProfile.io’s credential verification service confirms the authenticity of educational and professional credentials, including college degrees, professional licenses, employment records, and good standing certifications. This verification is mandatory for many overseas positions, granting verified candidates the trust of employers, often resulting in priority status, expedited application processing, and enhanced salary offers.

Mudgal further explained the significance of the Digital CV, a streamlined resume designed to enable nurses, doctors, medical technicians, and other specialists to showcase and preserve their verified credentials and skills within a Digital Wallet. This feature significantly boosts applicants' appeal to employers. They can also make their Digital CV visible to international employers and headhunters with a simple click, increasing their chances of being headhunted by recruiters and healthcare partners on the platform.

The Benefits of a Career Abroad

While pursuing a career abroad may not be for everyone, the thousands who embrace this journey often find the experience personally, financially, and professionally rewarding. Tales of hardworking nurses or medical technicians who improved their families’ financial standing or settled their debts by working in other countries are not uncommon.

"Filipino healthcare workers have also been widely recognized worldwide for their outstanding contributions to the field. TrueProfile.io has opened the doors of opportunity wider for Filipino healthcare workers. Since the platform is free and accessible to all, more professionals in varying stages of their careers have a chance to discover and chart their career paths. Our global presence, particularly with healthcare leaders in the UK, Ireland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, offers limitless employment opportunities," said Michelle Ibarra, Director of DataFlow Group, the principal of TrueProfile.io.

Aside from career growth, Filipino healthcare professionals gain exposure to new cultures, languages, and diverse healthcare systems, enhancing their skills and resilience. TrueProfile.io offers a clear path to a brighter international future in the healthcare sector. Professionals can unlock their full potential by signing up at TrueProfile.io for a clear path to a brighter future abroad.

EVERYTHING IS GRAND WITH SM CITY GRAND CENTRAL’S 3DAY SALE

ADM Cares partners with Pawssion Project to advance pet welfare in the Philippines

As September ushers in the ‘BER’ months, SM City Grand Central is gearing up to make this transition even more exciting for shoppers with the 3-DAY-SALE happening on September 15, 16, and 17.

SM City Grand Central is inviting all shopaholics and savvy spenders to dive into a shopping experience that promises a perfect blend of unbeatable discounts, fabulous finds, and a golden opportunity to jumpstart your early Christmas shopping spree. Shoppers can expect jaw-dropping discounts and exclusive offers on a wide range of products, from fashion and beauty to electronics and home essentials. With a plethora of renowned brands under one roof, SM City Grand Central offers a shopping haven that caters to everyone’s needs and preferences.

Lucky shoppers may also win in the 3-day sale raffle promo! By simply presenting a minimum purchase receipt of P1,000 gives shoppers a chance to win a brand-new Suzuki Avenis. Increase your chances of winning by getting additional coupons when you shop on Saturday and Sunday.

The excitement doesn’t stop with shopping. For job seekers and career enthusiasts, SM City Grand Central has a surprise in store. Alongside the 3-Day Sale, a job fair will also be taking place on September 15 at the 5th level of the mall. As the season of new beginnings and opportunities approaches, individuals seeking new career opportunities are invited to explore a myriad of career prospects offered by a diverse range of reputable companies across various industries. From entry-level to managerial positions, SM City Grand Central’s job fair aims to connect job seekers with their dream jobs.

Don’t miss this chance to grab amazing deals and kickstart your Christmas shopping, all while exploring exciting job prospects. Mark your calendars on September 15, 16, and 17, and head on to SM City Grand Central for non-stop excitement, savings, and opportunities!

Insurance Market is Launching HelperMatch, a Comprehensive (FREE!) Online Service to Perfectly Match Domestic Workers and Their Employers

Recently Singapore was confronted with the fact that 50% of domestic workers do not make it through the first year with their employer. At the root of that issue is often a mismatch in expectations.

To have a good, effective, happy and reliable helper is of immense value to many Singapore families. They are an important pillar of our Singapore society. Yet, this tragic recent statistic of the Ministry of Manpower shows that something is amiss.

Insurance Market has been specializing in data analysis and matching technology. Since 4 years Singaporeans can already compare and buy insurances of up to 20 companies side-by side on the Insurance Market website and select the one that best meets their needs. That same type of technology can also match employers and domestic workers. Besides getting a better match, the site also enables some employers and their helpers to save money by making it possible for employers to do a direct hire and to bypass using an employment agent.

For a transfer maid the process has 6 steps. For a direct hire it is 12. All the steps are neatly set out in the application. It all starts with matching profiles, based on the preferences that employers and workers provide. Next there can be an exchange of messages, followed by an agreement terms, signing of a contract and storage of required documents. An indicator always shows how far the process has progressed. It is entirely free and there is no obligation to buy insurance from Insurance Market (although they of course don’t mind).

Insurance Market has many Maid Insurance customers and this application will support their clients and their helpers and allows Insurance market to make a contribution to a better and happier society. Not only because of the better match, but also because the application will address some of the grey areas and lessen the power asymmetry between employers, agents and helpers. Insurance Market’s core value is to protect happiness through love and care.

The application will be available as a mobile web (and desktop) application hosted on insurancemarket.sg where prospective employers and maids can register and be perfectly matched based on their preferences (analogue to job search, dating, etc.). The application will feature the possibility for detailed search in accordance with preferences, fully informed decisions (based on mutual disclosures), document management and template agreements.

The data of members is PDPA compliant and fully secure and governed and shared by data owner only.

Key Helpermatch Features

• Totally Free - No need for maid agencies, no costs
• Full step by step selection and hiring process
• Detailed search in accordance with preferences
• Use our detailed template contracts agreements
• Document Management and (optional) verification services

About Insurance Market

Insurance Market is an online insurance broker that makes processes clear and simple by using automation and transparency. Both the insurance and the foreign worker industries from time to time feature asymmetric access to information and asymmetric power balances amongst its stakeholders. We care for people and therefore aim to use our technology skills to address these imbalances to create a fairer environment, to bring happiness and to prevent coercive behavior.

How does Helpermatch work?

We will help you find a suitable employer or worker for free. The process consists of around 10 steps and starts with matching profiles, based on the information that employers and workers provide. Next it supports the exchanges of messages, the processes of agreeing on terms and the exchange and storage of required documents. At the top of the page you
always see the breadcrumbs-indicator that indicates how far the process has progressed.

The process is entirely for free and there is no obligation to buy insurance from us, but we of course don’t mind.

Only 50% of maids make it through the first year with their employer

That number indicates that current matching and selection processes are performing suboptimal. It further evidences a mismatch in expectations. Helpers also drop out because small problems can become big when they do not have anyone to talk with. The matching process clearly needs to be enhanced and extended. An improved exchange of expectations (on both sides), and proper documentation and monitoring and mediation can contribute to a lower drop-out rate and prevent a lot of heartache.

iQor Continues to Bring Jobs Closer to Home as it Expands its Call Centers in Davao, Philippines

iQor Continues to Bring Jobs Closer to Home as it Expands its Call Centers in Davao, Philippines

Tech-Enabled BPO company is rapidly recruiting across Davao to meet growing client demand

iQor, a managed services provider of customer engagement and technology-enabled BPO solutions, announced today the expansion of its Davao call center, as well as the launch of a new center in the Davao Park District.

“iQor is looking forward to growing in the City of Davao,” said Senior Vice President Operations for iQor Philippines, Rod Hoddinott. “The City is an ideal region thanks to its highly proficient workforce and educated talent pool. It will remain one of our fastest growing regions as we work with clients to solve complex problems across a variety of channels.”

The new expansions in Davao are part of iQor’s 2019 growth trajectory that will bring in over 5,000 new jobs across the Philippines by the end of the year. Expanding by 70,000 square feet across the two locations, iQor has modernized its current center with a new recruiting space and expanded breakroom and game area. The newly-built center houses 1,200 call center seats and another state-of-the-art recruiting center. iQor considers Davao’s local government and community exceptional partners and has plans for further expansion in 2020.

To meet client demand, iQor has been actively recruiting over 2,000 new employees across Davao and will continue to recruit through the end of the year.

“We’re on a mission to bring jobs close to home across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Senior Vice President Operations for iQor Philippines, Saurabh Bhaskar. “Our Davao employees enjoy effortless commutes and access to a variety of amenities within walking distance of our contact centers.”

iQor was recently nominated at the 2019 Asia CEO Awards for Diversity Company of the Year and was recognized for its commitment to the Philippines business community and job creation through its first place award for Best Company of the Year Outside National Capital Region at the 2018 International ICT Awards.

iQor operates in multiple locations throughout Dasmariñas, Davao, Iloilo, Talisay, Bacolod, Santa Rosa, Fairview, Metro Manila, and Clark.

To learn more about growing your career at iQor, please visit: www.iqor.com/careers.

About iQor

iQor is a managed services provider of customer engagement and technology-enabled BPO solutions. With 45,000 employees in 9 countries, we partner with many of the world's best-known brands to deliver aftermarket product and customer support solutions that span the consumer value chain, from customer care and receivables management to product diagnostics and repair services. Our award-winning technology, logistics, and analytics platforms enable us to measure, monitor, and analyze brand interactions, improve business processes, and find operational efficiencies that lead to superior outcomes for our partners across the customer and product life cycles. For more information, please visit us at www.iqor.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/iqor.

Workforce Management and Optimization as a Service will take Companies to New Dimensions

Call Design, a Workforce Management and Optimization company from Australia is expanding its operations to provide full-component services that will improve Workforce Management performance, optimize service processes in contact center, branch and back-office operations, integrating technology and services using data science at its core.

Founded in 1999 in Sydney Australia to provide Workforce Management business solutions, technology, and consulting services to their clients in Australia, US and Europe, Call Design first came to the Philippines in 2008 to support the WFM Teams of their clients who are mostly blue-chip companies, across the globe.

In 2019, Call Design has enlarged its services by offering Workforce Management and Optimization as a Service to ensure that right people with the right skills are in the right place at the right time to provide companies with optimal service and quality.

Sean Mather, Executive Director of Call Design Pty. Ltd and Chairman of Auscontact Association said Workforce Management is crucial in every business but is a highly overlooked part of operations.

Demand for Workforce Optimization is rising, however, due to the thriving business climate in different regions, including the Philippines. “Organizations must provide quality service, efficiency and effectiveness and at the same time ensure revenue generation, cost efficiency and profitability. It’s a demanding balancing act, and the solution is the efficiency and effectiveness that WFO can provide. A large chunk of a company’s success is due to efficient, well-managed staff,” Mather said.

Workforce Optimization ensures that employees are aligned with the goals of the organization. Call Design works at an enterprise-wide level to put the best tools in place for an unparalleled customer experience,” he added.

Call Design Philippines General Manager Cecille Tan said the company continues to revolutionize the workplace by providing effective Workforce Management and Optimization services, tools and technology, custom software development, exceptional support, personalized training, and consulting services at a lower cost than when the companies themselves do their own employee management.

“It is the first of its kind in the country. Backed by 20 years of WFM experience and expertise, Call Design’s Workforce Management and Optimization services can help companies acquire an optimum level of performance, increase staff retention, improve technology, save on costs and time, provide a superior customer experience and make them true global players,” Ms. Tan said.

“It is often considered as the next logical move to analyze and manage the staff and operational efficiency in order to elevate customer experience.”

Call Design’s clients spanning 26 countries belong to different industries including Australia’s major banks, international telecommunications companies, blue chip insurers, governmental bodies and other global entities.

As Call Design’s main goal is to increase efficiency and expertise in Contact Centres and Shared Services Operations for all clients from different industries, they also provide services on Performance Management, Quality Management, Knowledge Management and Load Management. Clients can also choose to have their internal staff go through Essential Trainings for WFM, Quality, Performance Management, Manager Essentials and Back-Office Essentials.

McDonald’s Leads Industry in Equal and Responsible Employment; Commits to Hire more Elderly and PWDs starting with City of Manila

MANILA CITY, Philippines— quick service restaurant giant, Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines) strengthens its commitment in being a responsible employer as the company signs an agreement with Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno of the Manila City government to employ eligible senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in at least 40 of its stores in Manila.

Recognizing the potential of every Filipino to contribute, and be productive members of society, McDonald’s Philippines will soon be hiring at least 80 senior citizens and 40 persons with disability across the company’s stores in the country’s capital.

“McDonald’s Philippines has been a responsible employer since we opened our first store here in Manila in 1981. We usher our 38th founding anniversary this September, by inking this partnership with the City of Manila as we commit to provide more employment opportunities which aim to integrate senior citizens and hearing-impaired Manileños into the workforce,” says Kenneth Yang, President and CEO of McDonald’s Philippines.

Reinforcing responsible and equal employment

The partnership between McDonald’s and the Manila city government will provide senior citizens and PWDs the opportunity to earn and at the same time to learn and develop new skills as they experience the same world class training which the company has provided its directly hired employees.

Qualified applicants will undergo a training program approved by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Manila, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Hired senior citizens and PWDs will be assigned to perform tasks complementing those of existing crew members which includes being an order presenter, drink drawer, table manager and overall guest relations.

Under the agreement, senior citizens will be assigned work for not more than four hours per day for five days a week, with shifts set at 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Meanwhile, PWDs will perform work in shifts also applied to regular crew members, but not to exceed eight hours a day.

“We are excited to have more senior citizens and PWDs assist in serving our customers. We currently have over 30 employed in different restaurants in the country. We have seen their potential, capabilities and commitment in providing great customer service. As we welcome our Manileño senior citizens and PWDs, we look forward to grow the alternative workforce and roll it out to more cities,” Yang added.

Championing growth and development of Filipinos

The company has championed fair and equal employment and have allowed growth and development opportunities for Filipinos since its establishment in the Philippines in 1981, starting with its direct hiring policy or the non-practice of contractualization for all its restaurant employees.

McDonald’s Philippines then set is sights to forge stronger partnerships with the Department of Labor and Employment and PESO for “Special Program for Employment of Students” or “SPES” and have had over 800 students and out-of-school youth benefit from the program; 250 of which were absorbed and became regular McDonald’s employees.

The company is also supportive of the “Work Immersion Program,” in partnership with private and public Senior High Schools (SHS), where SHS students are able to immerse themselves in McDonald’s stores and head office to learn more about restaurant operations and gain firsthand experience and knowledge in the industry. Since starting the program in the city of Manila, over 160 Senior High Students have learned and gained experience in the field of food and beverage.

“The success of our people is our success. We are committed in their training and development to ensure their growth in the company and as individuals.” Yang closes.

Today, 50% of the management team of McDonald’s Philippines started as crew members, reinforcing that more than employment, the company provides growth opportunities to its employees.