Quezon City — The Institute for Labor Studies conducted a consultation with the Department of Labor and Employment - Bureau of Local Employment (DOLE-BLE) on two major studies for 2025 focusing on employment facilitation and foreign workforce regulation.

The activity was attended by representatives from the DOLE-BLE's Policy Development, Program Management, and Labor Market Information divisions who provided inputs to refine the studies' objectives, scope, and methodology. The first study, led by researchers Loren Art S. Cayabyab and John Rod M. Sadia, aims to establish an economic needs test (ENT) criteria for Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications. 

According to DOLE-BLE, while labor market tests assess Filipino workforce availability, the ENT — required only for companies employing foreign nationals with fiscal incentives under the Public Service Act — will evaluate if economic conditions justify foreign labor without adversely affecting domestic employment. The ENT research will support the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Employment of Foreign Nationals and DOLE-BLE in developing a policy or department order.

Meanwhile, the Job Placement Offices (JPOs) Study proposed by Athena Mari E. Son, presented the key directions of the research toward addressing policy needs and program challenges in employment facilitation and labor market information. The study will evaluate the performance of JPOs, examining their clientele, industry partnerships and skills requirements, and placement patterns.

DOLE-BLE expressed their support to the study, highlighting the JPO research's importance in addressing information gaps while noting ongoing efforts by DOLE Regional Offices and Public Employment Service Offices to accredit more institutions as JPOs.

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