DOLE Shares Labor and Employment Plan to the European Business Community

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) presented the National Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) 2023-2028 to the European business community during a luncheon meeting hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) at Dusit Thani Manila on 20 July 2023.

The meeting served as an opportunity for the Philippine labor department to build a close partnership and meaningful collaboration for a more robust and productive labor market.

In his keynote address, Secretary Laguesma emphasized the government’s priorities for enhancing human capital development and improving labor conditions across the country. The LEP focuses on priority areas such as: 1) maximizing productive, remunerative, freely chosen, and sustainable work and employment opportunities; 2) ensuring labor governance that respects all fundamental principles and rights at work, international labor standards and human rights; and 3) building an equitable and inclusive social protection for all.

“Active collaboration with private sector partners like ECCP is key to equipping our workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy,” said Secretary Laguesma.

The LEP provides a five-year roadmap for structural reforms that will foster broad-based, inclusive growth through employment generation, labor rights protection, and social welfare programs. It exemplifies DOLE’s commitment to consensus-building with stakeholders to develop a future-ready workforce and enable sustainable enterprise development.

To implement the plan, Secretary Laguesma pointed out that “A tripartite Technical Working group has been organized to cover each of the three priority areas. They shall be responsible for developing specific action plans over the next five years. A tripartite oversight committee has been organized to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the LEP.”

The forum also featured insights from Mr. Khalid Hassan, Country Director for the Philippines at the International Labour Organization (ILO), on policy considerations related to gender inclusivity and social dialogue.

The ECCP is a bilateral foreign chamber that promotes European interests in the Philippines and vice versa. As a membership organization with over 700 members among its ranks and a strong partnership with the government, the ECCP offers a strong business network that holds great potential translating to tangible business opportunities.