The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), is ramping up efforts to prepare Filipino workers for the changing world of work through research-based policies on skills development, employment creation, and decent work programs.
On 13-14 October, the ILS, as the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department, brought together experts and representatives from the government, tripartite partners, research institutions, academe, and industry leaders to present labor and employment-related studies to policymakers, program managers, and social partners— advancing evidence-based policymaking and promoting decent work in the Philippines.
Held annually, this year’s conference theme, “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Pathways for a Future-Ready Filipino Workforce,” is aligned with the Marcos Administration’s broader efforts to strengthen the country’s workforce and economy by using evidence-based policy research to promote innovation and employment, worker protection, and adaptability in response to global and local economic developments.
Among the studies presented were on women’s economic participation through childcare facilities, company practices in labor standards compliance, social dialogue to uphold decent working conditions in the creative industry, and factors affecting transitions in the coconut export sector.
Day 2 of the conference also featured topics such as economic implications of hiring foreign workers in the country, technology and skills transfer programs, gender and development strategies in labor organizations, and job placement offices as strategic partners in public employment services.
Joining the event were presenters from various DOLE attached agencies, including the National Wages and Productivity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Center, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as institutional partners such as the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, and the International Labour Organization.
“As we gather here today, let us reaffirm that research and development are the backbone of inclusive, forward-looking, and evidence-based strategies that uplift the lives of Filipino workers,” Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine C. Serrano said in his opening message.
“Through rigorous inquiry and thoughtful analysis, we gain insights needed to shape the policies that are responsive to the realities of the labor market and aspirations of the Filipino workforce,” he continued.
The assistant secretary also further emphasized that labor research should be a shared effort among government, industry, and other sectors to ensure that policies promote decent work, skills development, and sustainable jobs for all Filipino workers.
In the context of modern labor research, he also reminded researchers to use artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly.
“To be an effective researcher, one must demonstrate both intuition and discernment. With the integration of AI tools into research processes, it is imperative to maintain research integrity by strictly adhering to established rules, regulations, and guidelines governing the use of AI. Researchers are expected to uphold accountability throughout all aspects of their work,” he emphasized.
In closing, ILS Executive Director Jeanette T. Damo thanked participants and tripartite partners for the valuable contributions to labor and employment research, which she said "demonstrates the Department's continuing commitment to evidence-based and data-driven policymaking, which is vital to the effective implementation of DOLE's policies, programs, and strategic initiatives.
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