Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) 36th year anniversary celebration was marked with recognitions from various organizations.

In time for the celebration, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) acknowledged the Institute's invaluable contribution to the success of the Philippine delegation during the 58th Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Bodies in Bonn, Germany, held from June 5 to 15, 2023. ILS provided inputs and recommendations related to advancing decent work in climate action, further contributing to a greener economy and a more equitable future.

ILS also received an invitation from the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP) for an awarding event in October 2023. In 2021, ILS was hailed as one of the outstanding accounting offices by AGAP through the evaluation of the Commission on Audit citing the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of the Institute’s financial reports. ILS received the award in 2014, and in 2015.

The Institute was founded through Executive Order No. 251 on July 25, 1987, in response to the need for the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) research-based policymaking process. ILS has been providing technical assistance and quality research studies promoting labor market efficiency, industrial peace, and social justice.

Researches that matter

For its 36th year, ILS looks forward to delivering more relevant and informative research toward the advancement of decent work. The Institute is targeting to complete and present eight (8) working papers by the end of the year as part of its Research Agenda for 2023. These research projects aim to investigate and provide insights on the pressing issues of labor rights, analysis of landmark labor rulings, and changes in the country’s employment landscape.

The researchers are currently in the data-gathering phase with some doing their fieldwork in the regions for the second half of the year. ILS researchers visited Cebu City and paid a courtesy visit to Department of Labor and Employment Region VII Director Lilia A. Estillore, for the research on digital labor market intermediaries and review of current DOLE regulations on contracting and subcontracting.

Another research project the Institute is pursuing focuses on human-centered agricultural modernization in the country. Researchers from the Institute for Labor Studies paid a courtesy visit to DOLE Regional Office XI Director Atty. Randolf Pensoy in Davao on July 18 to kick off the series of data gathering focusing on human capital development and innovation in one of the region's promising agribusinesses.

ILS also engaged with the International Labour Organization on July 13 to conduct a key informant interview with experts namely, namely, Mr. Hussein L. Macarambon, National Project Coordinator of the Ship to Shore Rights Project in Southeast Asia; and Ms. Cerilyn Pastolero, Project Manager of the Improving Worker Rights in Rural Sectors with a Focus on Women Project as part of the (From Left to Right) ILS researchers Diether B. Navarosa, Lara P. Fameronag, and Arianne Ishreen C. Bucar with DOLE Regional Office XI Director Atty. Randolf Pensoy during a courtesy visit in Davao City for the conduct of data gathering for the study on agricultural modernization. DOLE Regional Office VII Director Lilia A. Estillore (center) with ILS researchers and regional office staff during a courtesy visit for a study on digital labor market intermediaries and a review of current DOLE regulations on contracting and subcontracting. (Photo courtesy of the DOLE Regional Office VII) research on innovative approaches in addressing labor exploitation in the tuna fishery supply chain.

The Institute is also pursuing research papers with the working titles, namely: (1) Overview of Employment Generation in Select Ecozones under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Law; (2) Policy Analysis of Labor Inspection Program; (3) Just Transition in the Waste Management Sector: Decent Work Prospects and Challenges; and (4) Evolving Governance for Workers in the Gig Economy. Fieldwork and data-gathering activities are targeted to be done by the end of August 2023. The working papers are set to be presented to DOLE officials, tripartite partners, and other stakeholders at the Research Conference by November 2023.

The Institute also celebrated its anniversary date with an online campaign of its humble beginnings in its official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ilsdoleofficial along with a guided tour at the National Museum of Anthropology for its employees.