ILOILO CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) conducted a series of data-gathering activities at various sites in Iloilo City from 13 to 16 May 2025, as part of its ongoing study titled “Workers’ Perspectives on Company Practices in Labor Standards Compliance and Labor-Management Relations.”

ILS research team began their fieldwork with a courtesy visit to Assistant Regional Director Melisa S. Navarra of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. VI (Western Visayas Region) to present the study’s overview, objectives, and schedule of data-gathering activities within the region.

During the fieldwork, the ILS research team facilitated guided surveys with workers from both organized and unorganized labor sectors and conducted site visits in the companies within the region, including Universal Robina Corporation – San Enrique, Sagility Philippines BV (BPO), Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. – Iloilo Plant, and Reed Elsevier.

The surveys aimed to capture workers’ insights on company practices concerning labor standards compliance, workers’ rights, labor relations, collective bargaining, grievance mechanisms, employee development, career advancement, and external linkages.

The ILS research team concluded their fieldwork with an exit conference with Assistant Regional Director Navarra and presented their preliminary aggregate findings from the conducted data-gathering activities.

The study is one of the eight ongoing research projects of ILS and will be presented at the 2025 DOLE Research Conference in October, with full completion targeted by end of December 2025.

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