The Institute for Labor Studies successfully held the first of its Luna Lecture Series with guest speaker Dr. Anil Verma of University of Toronto last Oct. 20, 2017 at U.P. School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR), Diliman, Quezon City.

Dr. Verma, professor at the Rotman School of Management and at the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, both of University of Toronto, discussed the topic “Smart labor policy reforms—lessons and emerging trends.”

The forum acknowledged that despite the growth in global wealth, decent working conditions remain a challenge for most workers in and out of standard employment. Dr. Verma’s lecture addressed how public policymakers can introduce innovations through “smart” labor policy reforms and how labor law can be improved to meet the dual challenges of job creation and better labor regulation in the face of globalization.

The forum drew participants from the government, the private sector, CSO, the academe, including students.

ILS co-organized the event with UP SOLAIR under its banner project, Luna Lecture Series, as part of its 30th founding anniversary activities, which commenced on 25 July 2017. In line with its anniversary theme, Masusi, Makabago at Makabuluhang Pananaliksik tungo sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay ng Manggagawang Pilipino, the objectives of the lecture series focus on expanding the reach of labor and employment policy advocacy: a) to serve as an advocacy platform for the researches of the institute, b) to develop awareness on, or interest in, labor and employment issues, policies and programs among college students, c) to develop future pool of labor and employment researchers or analysts, and d) to strengthen research and advocacy partnerships with academic institutions.

The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. For more information on this story, please contact the Advocacy and Publications Division at 527-3490.