A million Filipinos joined ranks of unemployed since Nov.

MANILA, Philippines—More than one million adult Filipinos joined the ranks of the unemployed between November and March, according to the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The SWS survey, conducted on March 4 to 7 and released on Wednesday, said adult unemployment rose to 27.2 percent, or an estimated 11.3 million, from 23.5 percent (9.9 million) just four months before.

Over the last two surveys, SWS said adult unemployment was dominated by those who quit their jobs and those who were retrenched. In the latest survey, the unemployed consisted of 10 percent who resigned or voluntarily left their old jobs, nine percent who were retrenched, and seven percent first-time job seekers.

Retrenched workers

Those retrenched consisted of seven percent whose previous contract was not renewed, one percent whose employer closed operation, and one percent who were laid off.

The SWS data on unemployment refer to the population of adults in the labor force, since respondents in SWS surveys are those at least 18 years old. The official lower boundary of the labor force has always been 15 years old, SWS said.

The polling body uses the traditional definition of unemployment as “not working and at the same time looking for work.” Those not working and not looking for work are excluded from the labor force, such as students, housewives, the disabled, and those who have retired from their jobs.

The SWS said unemployment had been above 20 percent since 2005. Between May 2005 and March, adult unemployment was below 20 percent in only three out of 23 surveys— March 2006 (19.9 percent), December 2007 (17.5 percent), September 2010 (18.9 percent).

The March unemployment level was similar to the figures posted in December 2009 (27.3 percent) and March 2010 (27.1 percent).

The survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It had an error margin of plus-or-minus three percentage points. Inquirer Research