QUEZON CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) met with key management representatives of ABS-CBN Corporation on 14 May 2024 at the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Communications Center in Diliman, Quezon City, as part of its initial creative industry research titled “Exploring Social Dialogue Mechanisms in Upholding Decent Working Conditions of Freelancers in Broadcast Media and Theater.”

The study aims to examine how social dialogue mechanisms can be harnessed to promote and uphold decent work for freelance workers in the covered sectors of the creative industry.

The ILS research team, led by Senior Labor and Employment Officers Ms. Francesca Rose S. Castillo and Mr. Marvin Cabangunay, along with GIP Intern Mr. Gabriel S. Esguerra, conducted key informant interviews with ABS-CBN officers, including Mr. Mark Nepomuceno, Head of Transformation and Innovation; Ms. Nilda Bayani, Head of Human Resources and Organization Development; Ms. Ma. Aljo Queddeng, Head of Human Resources for TV; Ms. Icie Torio, Head of Human Resources for Films; and Mr. TJ Isla, Head of Employee and Labor Relations.

During the interview, ABS-CBN representatives shared insights into its employment classification system and discussed the challenges faced by both regular employees and freelance workers in TV and film production, while providing recommendations on how to further improve working conditions to help workers thrive in the creative economy.

The research team will further engage with other media networks, government agencies, and relevant guilds, workers’ associations and organizations within the creative sectors—particularly in broadcast media and theater—to gather additional insights and recommendations. A survey will likewise be conducted among workers in these sub-sectors.

This creative industry study is one of eight (8) ongoing research projects of ILS and will be presented at the 2024 DOLE Research Conference this October.

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