Day 8 – SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Thousands of fresh graduates send out dozens of applications and resumes, only to receive silence. A vendor sells on the street, earning just enough for the day but with no security, no benefits, no protection. A call center agent works the night shift, supporting a family but burning out from long hours and low pay. These are not isolated stories; they are the daily reality for millions of Filipinos in 2026.

Work should be more than survival; it should be dignity, stability, and opportunity. Yet, decent work remains out of reach for many. Globally, the unemployment rate stood at 4.9% in 2025, but nearly 58% of workers were in informal employment—without contracts, protections, or reliable income.

In the Philippines, the challenge is even sharper. Youth unemployment rose to 11.7% in late 2025, with over 744,000 young Filipinos jobless. Informal work accounts for an estimated 36–74% of total employment, with millions in precarious, unprotected jobs.

Without decent work, poverty persists. When jobs are unstable, wages are low, and rights are absent, families cannot plan for the future. With decent work, economies grow. Productive employment drives innovation, reduces inequality, and builds resilient communities.

At Colegio de Kidapawan, which aims to produce outstanding professionals in a changing global society, SDG 8 calls us to prepare not just for jobs, but for meaningful careers, where work is fair, safe, and empowering for all.