ISSUE 08, SEPT 2008 Manila, Philippines

Philippine Labor Index and Decent Work: An Advocacy Campaign at the Regional Level
In 2006, the Philippine Labor Index (PLI) became an official statistic category of the Philippine national statistical system. The PLI is a summary of indices that monitors progress towards achieving the labor and employment goals of the country. In support of this initiative, the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB) issued Resolution No. 17, series of 2006 approving the methodology for generating the PLI and outlining a series of follow-up activities to ensure the continuity of the PLI. These activities include the commitments to rationalize in their respective work plan the generation of data and statistics required to sustain the production of PLI; regular publication of the Status Report on Decent Work; and advocacy for the use of PLI and Status Report. Crucial to the institutionalization of the PLI is the widening of awareness of, and support for, the PLI beyond the national institutions and down at the local levels. This requires a series of information campaigns and consultations across the country to broaden knowledge about decent work, demonstrate the usefulness of the PLI and widen acceptance of and demand for the PLI. This event could also serve as mechanism to exchange views with regional and local institutions and partners about the decent work situation in the country. The Philippine Regional Advocacy for the National Decent Work Agenda and the Philippine Labor Index consisted of a series of regional fora and consultations spearheaded by the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) and the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) in coordination with the Regional Offices. It was conducted in fourteen (14) regions (CAR, NCR, I, II, III, IV-A, V, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, and CARAGA) from October to December 2007. Representatives and officials of key regional and local government and non-government institutions, and employers and workers organizations attended the regional advocacy. HIgHLIgHtS ADvoCACy of tHE PLI REgIonAL taken by the DOLE to address this concern. According to DOLE representatives, the problem of child labor is being addressed through the Sagip Batang Manggagawa Program. Through this initiative, there were also coordination done with other Agencies like DWSD, DILG and DepEd to successfully address the problem of child labor. Moreover, mechanisms such as the Regional Child Labor Committee and LGUs respective provincial council for the protection of children are also very helpful in the implementation of the anti-child labor programs at the local level. Another issue that received much attention during the open forum is the issue on contractualization. One participant expressed that contractualiztion threatens security at work of many employees. In particular, the presence of contractual workers in the academe left many affected workers helpless in fighting for their rights. In response to this, it was clarified that the law prohibits labor-onlycontracting (LOC), and contractualization has parameters that make it legal and acceptable. Moreover, if labor-onlycontracting exists in establishments, the company violates labor law and therefore can be reported to DOLE for the necessary actions. EmPLoymEnt PRomotIon. An equally important issue raised was the problem of underemployment. According to one participant, this problem is experienced by many workers who want additional work to augment their monthly earnings, considering the meager salary they receive from their present jobs. As to what the Department is doing to address this issue, ILS emphasized that employment generation per se is a function of industries, which are being complemented by the DOLE policies and programs that seek to create enabling environment for jobs to be created. Further, BLES also clarified that since the respondents on the survey are agricultural workers who work on a seasonal basis, they would automatically answer that they want additional work, which constitute underemployment. Job-SkILLS mISmAtCH is also an issue covered by the second pillar (employment promotion) of Decent Work. It was explained that the DOLE has initiated several initiatives along this area. In 2006, the DOLE conducted the National Manpower Summit (NMS) for the purpose of identifying the hard-to-fill jobs and mission critical skills, and the corresponding policy and program

RIgHtS At WoRk. One pertinent issue concerning rights at work was on child labor. Specifically, the participants were interested to know actions that are being
This paper was written by the research specialists of the Workers Welfrare Research Dvision.
ISSUE 08 Philippine Labor Index and Decent Work

actions. In the following year (2007), a National Human Resource Conference (NHRC) was convened to look into the availability and quality of supply of specific skills occupations in the identified seven (7) key employment generators (KEGs). The Conference identified the gaps and challenges in the areas of education and training, human relations and labor relations as well as corresponding policy and program measures. The issue of lack of decent and productive employment among the youth is also an issue that needs to be addressed if the country would like to perform better in the PLI. It was mentioned that in order to address the issue of youth unemployment, DepEd, CHED, and DOLE, together with TESDA and PESOs, should establish a stronger partnership among them, and institutionalize strategies and programs that would retain the children or students in school. Moreover, it was articulated during the discussions the need to revive the apprenticeship programs and dual training schemes as well as the modes of on-thejob training to better develop the skills and competencies of the youth. SoCIAL PRotECtIon. One valid issue that was raised pertaining to social protection pillar of decent work concerns institutionalization of the unemployment fund. BLES responded that the Philippine government does not have the resources to put up the welfare fund for the unemployed. The government must have strong political will to fulfil its commitments, duties and obligations to the people it serves. Another important issue raised by the participants is the minimum wage. The discussion highlighted as to whether the recent minimum wage is sufficient and commensurate to the present economic situation taking into consideration the concept of decent work. It was explained that aside from the inflation and gross regional domestic product (GRDP), other considerations such as the cost of living in every region is factored-in in the computation of the minimum wage. It was also mentioned that aside from the economic side of wage fixing, political dynamics also play a significant role in wage determination. The low compliance with occupational safety and health (oSH) is also an issue discussed in the forum. A representative from Public Sector Management Council suggested to include OSH in the school curriculum to enable the students, who will soon form part of the labor force, to become aware of these standards. To address this lingering problem of low-compliance with occupational safety and health standards, DOLE has already integrated occupational safety and health in the new LSEF. SoCIAL DIALogUE. With regard to the representation at work, it was mentioned that the representation of employees have in the decision and policy-making bodies at the national and establishment levels are still limited. It was recommended that an activity similar to the regional advocacy be undertaken, but with the management as the target participants. The business sector should be given
ISSUE 15 Philippine Labor Index and Decent Work

extra consideration because a large portion of the decent work agenda are establishment-based. Another pertinent input of the regional advocacy was the proposal of creating linkages between DOLE and DILG, with the support of other concerned agencies and the LGUs, in institutionalizing local tripartite council. Considering that many of the programs of the Department are now being decentralized from the national to the local level, the participants perceived it necessary that tripartite council be also cascaded to the local level. They asserted that localizing tripartism will enable the social partners to have a touch-base experience of the policies, programs and projects undertaken by DOLE to achieve social and industrial peace. Another area that can be strengthened through social dialogue is corporate social responsibility. It was explained that corporate social responsibility is a voluntary measure on the part of the private sector to promote and uphold the core labor standards and the rights at work at the workplace. It was also explained that CSR has levels of implementation depending on the company. CSR could be applied on several levels - on employees, their families and communities surrounding the establishments and in terms of different packages such as infrastructure services or investments. CRoSS-CUttIng ConCERnS Statistical treatment. Aside from issues arising from the four pillars of decent work, the participants also posed equal concern and attention on statistical treatment. The issues involve the manner of data collection, the data gathered, and timeliness of the data gathering. A number of participants shared the same views that the issues are often articulated based on data which are sometimes very difficult to compare and verify. gender. Another issue that cuts across the four pillars is the gender lens of the PLI. It was mentioned that despite the high rank received by the country in terms of providing basic services for women particularly education services, the Philippines still received a low score in the labor force participation rate of women workers, especially those married women with children. On this note, it was asked whether this gender concern was considered in framing the decent work national policy agenda to address womens employability in productive jobs. In response, it was explained that part of the indicator is balancing family life and work under the security at work dimension. Further there are continuing programs in place pertaining to womens employability in productive jobs.
InStItUtE foR LAboR StUDIES 5/f DoLE bldg., gen. Luna St. Intramuros, manila Phone: 632-5273490 fax: 632-5273448 Email: advocacy@ilsdole.gov.ph Website: www.ilsdole.gov.ph