Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) successfully organized the 2019 DOLE Research Conference with the theme “Shaping the Discourse on the Future of Decent Work,” last November 26 at the AG New World Hotel in Manila
ILS Acting Deputy Director Patrick Patriwirawan, Jr. welcomed the participants while Assistant Secretary Dominique R. Tutay delivered the Message on behalf of Undersecretary Ana C. Dione.
“Today is a day for fundamental questions about how we govern the future of labor market governance. How do we update our 20th century Labor Code to 21st century realities? How do we upgrade our social protection mechanisms to better protect workers from increased vulnerability? How do we create a social dialogue that considers depth and extent of participation, for the digital age? Your thoughts to these questions will matter on how we form DOLE policy for tomorrow,” emphasized Assistant Secretary Tutay.
Also, present during the event were the following DOLE Senior Officials: Assistant Secretary Mariano R. Alquiza; Assistant Secretary Alex A. Avila; Assistant Secretary Federico V. Abuan, Jr.; and Assistant Secretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez. In attendance also were the DOLE Regional Director and Assistant Regional Directors officials along with DOLE and ILS’ institutional partners, and tripartite stakeholders from the government, the employers, and the workers sectors.
Now on its 8th year, the event showcased 15 presentations by researchers from the ILS, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC).
The following researches were presented during the plenary session: Managing Disruptions in the Age of Automation, Integration, and Reform: A Situational Analysis of the IT-BPM Sector in the Philippines; Skills Needs Anticipation: Workplace Skills and Satisfaction Baseline Survey of Select Employers in the Construction Industry; and Differentiation of Pay Scales Across Levels of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Qualifications in the Construction Industry.
Other researches which were presented during the parallel sessions were: Non-Hazardous Work for Children in Agriculture: The Case of Banana and Sugarcane Supply Chains; Leaving No Worker Behind: Evidence from a Participatory Assessment of DOLE Interventions for Displaced Workers; Strengthening Preparedness for Migrant Worker Reintegration: Thematic Analysis and Local Index Tool Development; Best Practices in Promoting Occupational Safety and Health in the Philippines (OSHC); An Analysis of Practices and Policies of Establishments on DOLE Health-Related Department Orders (OSHC); and Evaluation of Lifestyle Risk Factors and Diet Inflammatory Index of Filipino Seafarers (OSHC). These researches were under the collective theme of Securing Social Protection for All Amidst Uncertainties in the World of Work.
Researches which focused on Exploring Institutional and Workplace Arrangements for a Better and Brighter Future include: Reshaping Work: Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges in Platform Work; An Assessment of Time and Motion Study (TMS) and Facilities Evaluation (FE); Harbor Pilotage in the Philippines: A Review of Interventions in Licensing, Appointment and Capability Building of Harbor Pilots (NMP); Strengthening Multi-Employer Bargaining: Policies and Practices (Phase II); and Harnessing Benefits and Mitigating Risks of Trade on Employment in the Philippines: Institutional Mapping and Gap Analysis.