DOLE, ILS launch 'Decent Work Caravan' in Iloilo
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Institute of Labor Studies (ILS) yesterday launched the "Decent Work Caravan" in Iloilo City to heighten public and private sector consciousness about the agenda and kick off its localization.
Iloilo is the host of the first leg of the 16 regional caravans that will be held nationwide.
ILS executive director Cynthia R. Cruz said the Decent Work agenda is now on its third cycle after it was piloted in the Philippines in 2000.
The agenda underwent a thorough study until a decision was reached to finally roll it over in the regions and for them to come up with their own local agenda.
“It’s about workers' rights, protection, dialogue, representation and everything that we want to happen. We want this popularized because we think it is already the right time,” she said.
The third cycle focused on four strategic priorities to include rights at work, employment, social protection and representation.
Those who will be given priorities are the formal, informal and migrant sector workers.
Greater focus will be given to those engaged in commercial fishing, farm workers, business process outsourcing workers, contractual and public sector workers.
Cruz added that the third cycle will focus on "Narrowing Work Deficits" because there were already processes done in the past cycles and they are just trying to address discrepancies.
Today’s kick off activity also served as a preliminary activity of the "Diamond Lecture Series" of the DOLE in line with its 75th anniversary celebration.
The two-day caravan supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO) was held at the Knowledge Development Center of the Central Philippine University (CPU) here. (PNA)