• Secretary Baldoz together with officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
• Dr Yoo, Vice-President for Asia-Pacific of the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES),
• Ms Kint, WAPES Executive Secretary,
• Mr Keskin, Deputy Director of Iskur (Turkish Public Employment Service), also representing the WAPES Presidency,
• Partners from the government, employers’, and workers’ organizations,
• Members of the diplomatic corps, officials from the international community, civil society, business sector and academe,
• Ladies and gentlemen, magandang umaga sa inyong lahat (Good morning to all of you)!

It is an honour for the ILO to be part of this forum on labour market information, jointly organized by the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

This forum is an opportunity for each of us to share experiences and insights in developing and disseminating labour market information. It provides a venue for dialogue on the role of public employment services in enhancing and maintaining efficient labour market information systems.

The ILO acknowledges the continuing commitment of WAPES and DOLE to ensure that platforms to improve and strengthen labour market information and analysis systems, including employment services are in place.

Labour market information and analysis systems, which is the central topic of this forum, is very important in formulating, monitoring and evaluating national policies and programmes on decent work.

Behind the numbers are people searching for decent work opportunities, women and youth faring in the labour market, workers facing inequalities and challenges due to vulnerable employment, and young people looking for jobs that match their skills and education.

Labour markets are complex and change over time. It is crucial to have an accurate and up–to-date information to help labour markets design policies, operate efficiently, enhance labour market outcomes and address decent work deficits.

The ILO aims to disseminate labour market information, identify best practices and challenges, and support the constituents on the use of LMI not only in the Philippines but also in other countries towards promoting decent work and contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth.

In the Philippines, ILO’s work on robust labour market information and analysis, include detailed studies of labour market trends through the Philippine Employment Trends report and the Decent Work Country Profile. These studies provide recommendations on ensuring inclusive growth, defined as “poverty reduction in multiple dimensions and massive creation of quality employment” under the the Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

The ILO, in partnership with DOLE, also worked on the Philippine Employment Projections Model exercise, which aims to:

• assist in the development of Human Resource Development Strategic plan related to the components of selected industry roadmaps,
• contribute to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) skills mapping efforts and initiatives; and
• enable more in-depth analysis of potential labour market impacts of ASEAN economic integration.

The Philippines is also prone to natural disasters, such as the recent Typhoon Koppu (Lando). We are all aware on the impact of natural disasters on the lives and livelihoods of people. The ILO supports the government in providing estimates on affected workers and disrupted livelihoods due to natural disasters and crises. Assessments are conducted to provide up-to-date estimates and assist the Philippine government in responding and placing decent work and sustainable livelihood at the forefront of disaster response.

Labour market information is vital in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all or Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This is just to name a few. As you may already know, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets have already been agreed on last September 2015. Goal 8 of the SDGs is to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.

In the first quarter of 2016, UN member States will agree upon a set of global indicators and monitoring framework for the SDGs and targets. Data, statistics and research will be valuable to effectively assess progress made by countries in the 2030 agenda. Thus, reinforcing the need and importance of effective labour market information and analysis systems in demonstrating the way forward with more and better jobs for development.

The key to informed policy decisions is the availability of strategic information. Having said that, I look forward to your continued support and commitment to advance policies and programmes towards promoting decent work and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth through labour market information.

Again, thank you to WAPES and DOLE. I wish you a successful and productive forum!

Thank you and Mabuhay!