Employers’ conference to tackle job creation, poverty reduction

Employers all over the country will look into ways to maximize opportunities for job creation and scrutinize strategies for poverty reduction come May 14-15 this year when the 36th National Conference of Employers ( NCE 36), organized by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), is held at the Grand Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila.

The National Conference banners the theme, “The Ultimate Challenge: Creating More Wealth, Creating More Jobs.” The NCE 36 organizing committee is chaired by Federico R. Marquez Jr., ECOP assistant corporate secretary and membership committee chair, and SVP for HR division, St. Luke’s Medical Center.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had earlier reported that reducing poverty requires that more people become economically productive citizens and share in a society’s well-being. The ability to achieve and to sustain poverty reduction depends on economic growth alongside a well-managed natural environment. Further, the process of ending poverty in the region can be accelerated when neighboring economies work within larger and freer markets and when governments achieve common interests through common efforts.

ECOP chairman Miguel B. Varela reiterated the need to accelerate generation and expansion of investments towards poverty reduction and job generation. This, he said, entails revisiting regulations that hinder investor confidence and adopting policies that encourage long- term investments especially in agriculture and manufacturing as well as addressing the high cost of doing business in the country.

Marquez, for his part, said the national conference allows the exploration of unique opportunities that could arrest what ails the economy.