Description:
As the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) policy research and advocacy arm, the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) undertakes relevant research studies that promote better labor policies in advancing the welfare and well-being of the Filipino worker.
For 2015, the research study entitled “Examining the Portability of Social Security Benefits among Migrant Workers in the APEC Region” has been proposed as one of Institute’s working papers. The study intends to deliver valuable information on the portability of social security benefits among migrant workers both in Asian and non-Asian member-economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
As preliminary drafts of the research are already available, a round table discussion (RTD) was held on 29 June 2015, at the Employee Compensation Commission (ECC)in Makati City. The RTD served as a stock-taking activity to inform key government agencies with their mandate to ensure migrant’s welfare and protection, the social security situation within the Asia Pacific region and gather their perspectives on the feasibility of implementing portable social security measures. Moreover, initial findings of the study were presented for validation.
The activity drew the participation of representatives from the labor sector, social security providers and civil society organizations. Participants were from the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) and Center for Migrant Advocacy-Philippines (CMA-Phil). Aside from the presentation of initial findings, there are resource persons who are experts and competent to discuss the social security concepts and the various social protection programs for overseas Filipinos. Moreover, the migrants group served as the reactor-discussant to share their insights on how bilateral agreements and social security agreements enhance protection of migrant workers.
This document, which represents the highlights of the round table discussion is divided into three (3) parts: (1) the background, which provides the context and objectives of the study; (2) the summary of presentations; and (3) the highlights of the open discussion, which included questions raised by the participants during the round table discussion.
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Title:Examining the Portability of Social Security Benefits among Migrant Workers in the Asia Pacific Region
Researcher: Institute for Labor Studies