Working papers are reports that make the case for policy change, through a methodical inquiry into a specific policy or program problem or issue related to labor or employment, systematic observation of the manifestations of the problem, from which conclusions and policy, regulatory, operational or programmatic recommendations are derived. The papers are intended for specific actual or target clients, who have enunciated needs to consider or use the findings and recommendations as evidence of policy or program challenges and as basis for addressing policy problems or enhancing policies or programs related to labor and employment.
ILS working papers constitute a component of the policy development cycle of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the papers forming part of evidence or basis for policy formulation, review or enhancement. Thus, the primary users of ILS research papers are the DOLE bureaus and attached agencies. To ensure that the papers respond to the needs of DOLE for evidence-based policy making, ILS develops an annual research agenda aligned with the policy development needs of its primary users, usually as enunciated through the directives of the Secretary of Labor and Employment or through official request letters of the various DOLE offices. DOLE also uses ILS papers as basis for crafting legislative agenda and legislative proposals.
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Determining the Economic Needs Criteria: Risk, Impact, and Options The Philippines implemented policies to regulate the employment of foreign nationals to protect local labor. The incorporation of the Economic Needs Test (ENT) into the country’s foreign labor regulations serves as the latest attempt to add protective measures to preserve employment for Filipino workers. However, there is no definitive criterion for applying the ENT, nor a clear way to strike a balance between economic openness and the protection of the local workforce. This research analyzed how other countries implement ENT in their respective labor... |
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The Philippine government recently introduced the Understudy Training Program (UTP) and Skills Development Program (SDP) through the amended Foreign Investment Act and Public Service Act to address the skills gap in the labor market and reduce long-term reliance on foreign labor. DOLE Department Order No. 248, series of 2025, further requires foreign nationals in specialized positions to train Filipino understudies in enterprises receiving fiscal incentives. However, its recent promulgation raises significant challenges in enterprise level... |
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The Role of Job Placement Offices (JPOs) in Public Employment Services: A Five-Clustered Diagnostic A labor underutilization phenomenon called the “educated jobless” reveals that the youth are facing the highest incidence of unemployment in the Philippines. This trend highlights the importance of effective public employment services (PES) to facilitate employment and ensure productive transitions into the labor market. Job placement offices (JPOs) are partners of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under DOLE Department Order No. 157 series of 2016 in providing PES for students and industry. This study provides pioneering... |
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Gender And Development in Labor Organizations: Strategies and Prospects The Philippines has made significant strides in recognizing the contributions of women and the LGBTQIA+ community in national development through legislative and policy reforms aimed at protecting their rights. However, gender disparities persist, even in workplaces, particularly in decision-making structures and processes. Labor organizations and bipartite mechanisms have been proven to be critical actors in promoting inclusive work environments, but despite this, local documentation remains limited on how these bodies facilitate gender... |
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In 2024, the Institute for Labor Studies conducted a study titled, "Benchmarking of Company Practices in Labor Standards Compliance and Labor-Management Relations." The study was established in accordance with the thrust of the Philippine government to address the outcomes of the High-Level Tripartite Mission to mitigate labor and human rights violations. This initial study was intended to document company practices related to the management of labor rights risks, and to determine similar challenges that companies encounter in putting... |
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This paper examines the role of child care facilities in enabling women’s economic empowerment in the Philippines. With declining fertility rates and increasing labor force participation among women, this paper explores the extent to which gender-responsive child care provision enables mothers to engage in productive work and reduce the burden of unpaid care work. Anchored on a mixed-methods case study approach, this paper draws on a series of data collection activities, including guided surveys, interviews, and site visits to select child care... |
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This paper explores the pathways towards a just transition for the Philippine coconut export sector focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The paper highlights the role of strong ESG regulations in enabling decent work and sustainability measures within coconut enterprises. Employing the ILO Framework on Just Transition, this paper selected MSME coconut enterprises recognized by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for their work in sustainability. Interviews were also conducted among partner farmers of... |
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Over the years, the creative economy has emerged to be a vital driver of economic growth globally, which currently represents approximately three percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) (UNCTAD 2022), with predictions suggesting this share could triple by 2030 (Shapiro 2024). In the Philippines, the creative economy reached Php 1.94 trillion, which contributed 7.13 percent to the country’s gross domestic product of Php 21.05 trillion and accounts for 7.51 million workers or 15.4 percent of the total employed persons in 2024... |