PH lauded for labor reforms

by WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL, REPORTER, June 25, 2016, http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-lauded-for-labor-reforms/269894/

TAGAYTAY CITY: The International Labor Organization (ILO) has lauded the Philippines for being one of eight countries in the world that have improved labor policies.

Outgoing Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said on Saturday that the recognition was contained in ILO report entitled ILO Program Implementation 2014-2015, a comprehensive summation of the results by outcome indicator and region of the ILO’s strategic policy framework 2010-2015.

The report cited the Philippines for its achievements in employment promotion, skills development, sustainable development, social security, working conditions, occupational safety and health, labor migration HIV/AIDS, employers’ organization, workers’ organization, labor administration and labor law, social dialogue and industrial relations, decent work in economic sectors, freedom of association and collective bargaining, forced labor, child labor, discrimination at work, international labor standards and mainstreaming decent work.

ILO Director General Guy Ryder said the Philippines is one of the eight countries that achieved the highest results by member state in the implementation of the agency;s program.

The report put emphasis on the eight areas of critical importance (ACI) that are prevalent in most ILO member states, namely promoting more and better jobs for inclusive growth; jobs and skills for youth; creating and extending social protection floors; productivity and working conditions; decent work in the rural economy; formalization of the informal economy; strengthening workplace compliance through labor inspection; and protection of workers from unacceptable forms of work.

The report said 69 member states achieved 10 or more results, while eight countries achieved 15 or more results, including the Philippines, China, Vietnam and Indonesia.

All in all, the Philippines achieved 32 results in 15 indicators, of which three are ACIs.
“We welcome the ILO Director General’s report, as it affirms the comprehensive and sustained efforts of the Philippines in achieving a decent work with ILO’s support,” Baldoz said.

She said the ILO report is the highest confirmation yet of the concrete results of the tripartite-supported reforms undertaken by the Department of Labor and Employment in the last six years to improve labor governance in the Philippines and expressed hope that the agency will continue to provide well-targeted and meaningful assistance to the country.