Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz of the Labor Department's  Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) will speak during a multi-sectoral policy dialogue on employment on May 11, at the University of the Philippines - School of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Hosted by the KampanyaparasaMakataongPamumuhay (KAMP), Cruz will discuss the government program on employment by sharing the milestones reached by the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) 2011-2016.

Cruz will tackle the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed employment guarantee scheme as well as the feasibility of a cohesive and elaborate public employment program in the specific context of the Philippines.

The ILS, the policy research and advocacy arm of the DOLE, provided technical secretariat support during the crafting of the LEP in 2011.

KAMP is a broad multi-sectoral network that promotes social justice through transformative social protection. One of its core campaigns is on employment.

“We welcome opportunities such as this policy dialogue to reach out to our partners in developing better understanding of the Labor and Employment Plan and deriving support for commitments enrolled under the Plan," said Cruz.

The report on the progress of the LEP is currently under review and ready for adoption by the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council.

"The DOLE promotes venues for social dialogue to further increase the levels of opportunities for, and access to, decent and productive employment,” said Cruz.

Also speaking at the policy dialogue are Dr. Rene Ofreneo of UP-Solair representing the academe and Mr. Tony Asper, vice president for external affairs of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) representing labor.

KAMP hopes to engage other government agencies that have employment generation targets in their programs, labor committees of Congress, local governments and the academe.

The ILS was created in July 1987 by virtue of Executive Order No. 257. Since its creation the Institute has always been at the forefront of labor and employment policy research and advocacy providing strategic policy research for the Department of Labor and Employment.#

(For more information on this press release please contact Ms. LINARTES M. VILORIA, Chief Labor & Employment Officer, Advocacy & Publications Division, Institute for Labor Studies, Telephone Nos.: 5273490 / 5273447)