ILO lauds RP labor program

It may be hard to believe but the country’s local employment program is worth emulating.

Labor Undersecretary for International Affairs Manuel Imson reported yesterday that the International Labor Organization (ILO) has cited the Philippines for doing a good job in promoting decent employment.

"The Philippines has been cited to be on the lead as far as our decent work program is concerned," Imson said while noting that the ILO gave the recognition last week during the ILO Asian regional meeting in South Korea.

He added that the ILO named the Philippines as a model for other countries to implement similar "Decent Work" programs for the next decade.

The Philippines has long been recognized by other countries for migration management but it is the first time that the country was cited for its local employment program.

According to Imson, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched the "decent work" campaign shortly after the ILO urged member countries to come out with a national plan of action for decent work in 2001.

President Arroyo also placed employment at the top of medium-term development agenda in a bid to enable more Filipino workers, particularly women and the youth to obtain decent and productive employment.

Imson also noted that director general Juan Somavia also assured Labor Secretary Arturo Brion of the ILO’s full support and cooperation for the country’s various employment programs.

Meanwhile, Brion is attending the 61st United Nations dialog on international migration and development in New York. Brion is expected to highlight the country’s overseas programs during the two-day meeting.

The dialog seeks to identify means and ways to optimize the development impact of migration and mitigate its adverse effects.