Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies successfully organized the 2016 DOLE Research Conference with the theme “Clearing Pathways for Decent Work,” last December 15-16 at the Diamond Hotel, at Roxas Blvd, Manila.

Assistant Secretary Alex V. Avila formally opened the two-day event with an opening message.

In his remarks, Assistant Secretary Avila called for more researches that are responsive to the operations on the ground and those that will help in the regional operations, particularly in enhancing program implementation and service delivery.

“Research is instrumental in the decision making of the heads of agencies and senior officials and it is something that the regional operations can work on in terms of aligning their priorities with the policy thrusts and directives of the administration”, says Assec. Avila.

On its 5th year, the two-day event accommodated 20 presentations by researchers from the ILS and other DOLE offices particularly the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), and Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC).

The researches tackle the four pillars of decent work namely employment, rights at work, social protection and social dialogue.  The presentations were segmented according to the four major research themes.  Eleven researches related to labor standards and social protection issues were featured on the first day of the conference, while nine researches on employment and migration were presented on the second day.

The DOLE Research Conference seeks to provide a venue for the regular exchange of ideas on informed alternative frameworks and solutions that will aid decision makers and program managers at the Department in designing better, more efficient and effective policies that will address key labor and employment issues and challenges.