The Institute for Labor Studies is led by its Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director. It has four technical divisions, namely, the Employment Research Division (ERD), Workers Welfare Research Division (WWRD),Labor and Social Relations Research Division (LSSRD), and the Advocacy & Publications Division (APD). It has one administrative and support unit, the Finance and Administrative Division.

The Division shall conduct researchers and studies in support of developing policies and programs that promote generation and availment of opportunities for gainful, humane and productive jobs, leading to the attainment of full employment in the country.

Specifically, it shall:

1. Study and assess existing and proposed national policies and programs as well as conditions in the socio-political and economic environment vis-à-vis their effects on employment generation and manpower development;

2. Contribute to the formulation, review and updating of the National Employment Plan and the National Manpower Development Plan to ensure government’s focus and systematic efforts at providing employment opportunities and their effective availed by the citizenry;

3. Develop and propose labor bills and other policy instrument promotive of the employment goals;

4. Monitor and review legislative and policy developments and prepare analyses and comments on their impact on employment and manpower development; and

5. Study and develop approaches that would bring closer to the people government’s employment programs thereby hastening attainment of the employment goals of the country.

The Division shall conduct researches and studies in support of developing policies and programs that promote safe, healthy and humane work environment for workers and advance their general well-being and productivity.

Specifically, it shall:

1. Study and assess existing and proposed nation policies and programs vis-à-vis their effects on workers’ protection, welfare and productivity;

2. Develop and propose labor bills and other policy instruments that will promote the attainment of wholesome workplace, human terms and conditions of employment and secured future for workers;

3. Monitor and review legislative and policy developments and prepare analyses and policy developments and prepare analyses and comments on their impact to workers’ welfare and protection; and

4. Study and develop approaches for the promotion of healthy and humane terms and conditions of employment, particularly of disadvantaged groups such as children and women workers, working youth, overseas contract workers, agricultural workers and those in the informal sector.

The Division shall conduct researches and studies in all areas of labor and social relations for the development of policies and programs that promote the attainment of more democratic, constructive and productive partnership among workers, employers and government.

Specifically, it shall:

1. Study and assess existing and proposed national policies and programs and significant societal conditions vis-à-vis their effects on labor and social relations in production;

2. Develop and propose labor bills and policy instruments that will encourage the organization and/or strengthening of the various labor and social sectors towards socially responsible partnership;

3. Monitor and review legislative and policy developments and prepare analysis and comments on their impact on labor and social relations in production; and

4. Study and develop approaches in promoting sound labor and social relations.

The Division shall promote better understanding of labor and employment issues, particularly through the publication of the results of the Institute’s research and studies, and the effective organization and maintenance of its information resources for easier access by information users.

Specifically, it shall:

1. Document, publish and disseminate researches and studies to the Institute’s target clients i.e., policymakers, research and academic institutions, labor, management and all concerned parties;

2. Maintain and strengthen information networking activities with national and international institutions engaged in labor and employment research;

3. Organize symposia, roundtable discussion and other fora to discuss current labor issues and problems, and/or to present research results for critiquing and/or validation; and

4. Provide support services to other divisions by maintaining a specialized databank and a library, and by assisting in the development of computer programs required in research and other functions.

The Division shall supervise the human resource management, budget, accounting, supply and cashier sections, and formulate policies and programs pertaining to employee relations and matters related to wages and salary administration as well as administers uniform and consistent interpretation and application of policies and rules and regulations for the guidance and compliance of officers concerned.

Furthermore, the Division shall support and facilitate the implementation of the Institute’s mandate. It shall carryout policies and programs pertaining to the Institute employee relations, staff development, wage and benefits administration, grievance handling and internal management control. It shall also administer social services and schemes promotive of employee welfare. It shall take the lead in periodically evaluating and updating the management policies and programs of the Institute towards more effective, efficient and cohesive corporate pursuit of its mission.