• Secretary Bello, represented by Undersecretary Maglunsod of the Department of Labor and Employment,
• Distinguished officials and partners from government agencies in the Philippines,
• Ladies and gentlemen, good morning to all of you!

Welcome and we appreciate your presence today. We are gathered here for a consultation and policy mapping of government priorities, plans and programmes that seek to contribute to promoting and realizing Decent Work, particularly Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Goal 8 known as Decent Work and Economic Growth, promotes sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and Decent Work for All. The results of this exercise will contribute to the formulation of the Decent Work Country Programme.

Decent Work Country Programmes have been established as the main framework for ILO support to countries like the Philippines.

As part of the initial preparation, the Department of Labor and Employment in partnership with the ILO has completed the Decent Work Country Diagnostics.

The Diagnostics, in which you have a copy, will serve as an analytical document in developing the Decent Work Country Programme. The Diagnostics provides evidence-based analysis on the progress and situation, including challenges to achieve decent work.

The Decent Work Country Programme is not new to the Philippines. With the active support and encouragement of the government, workers and employers organizations, the Philippines was one of the first eight countries to adopt a national programme for Decent Work in 2000.

ILO constituents – government, workers and employers have formulated and adopted the concept of decent work.

Since then, it has gained support and has been endorsed by the international community. Within the Sustainable Development Goals, decent work is a key element to achieve inclusive and economic growth.

Decent Work is more than just having a job. It involves:

• promoting and realizing standards, fundamental principles and rights at work;
• creating opportunities to secure productive employment that delivers a fair income;
• enhancing coverage of social protection for all and ensuring safety and health at work; and
• strengthening social dialogue and freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in decisions that affect their lives.

Decent work reflects people’s aspirations and future prospects. AmBisyon Natin 2040 represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country.

Decent work in AmBisyon Natin 2040 is a way out of poverty. No one is poor, no one is ever hungry and Filipinos are comfortable because decent jobs that bring sustainable income are available, including opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Anchored on this is the Philippine Development Plan with strategies for laying down the foundation for inclusive growth, a high trust society and a globally competitive economy. By 2020, the Philippines is envisioned to become an upper-middle income economy. This means, overall poverty rate has declined and government has reduced unemployment.

Within AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the Philippine Development Plan, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has its own eight-point agenda for labour and employment supportive of decent work and inclusive growth.

The Decent Work Country Programme will contribute to relevant components of the Philippine Development Plan, AmBisyon 2040, DOLE’s labor and employment agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The government plays a key role in formulating the Decent Work Country Programme as it creates an enabling environment to realize decent work through policies and programmes.

Through this consultation workshop, we aim to engage and to enhance the “whole government approach” to promote and to realize decent work for Filipinos and the Philippines’ contribution to SDG 8 and decent work elements in other goals.

Your views and ideas matter in setting priorities and plans as well as mapping potential links.
The theory of change as a tool will be used to link interventions and outcomes to achieve our common goal and desired situation.

As key officials and representatives of the Philippine government, your inputs are very important in formulating the Decent Work Country Programme.

Finally, let me acknowledge DOLE for its support and commitment, as well as Mr Bitonio for facilitating this workshop. Most of all, thank you for your presence and active participation.

Partnerships are a way to implement and to extend the reach of the decent work agenda. By working together, we can help fulfil aspirations of the Filipino people and realize decent work for all.

Thank you!