DOLE eyes promotion of decent work, stronger workforce in 27th ASEAN labor meeting
Delegates of the 18th Senior Labor Officials’ Meeting (SLOM) have started to tackle various regional labor and employment programs as a prelude to the upcoming 27th ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 29.
DIOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. said art of the labor ministers meeting is to strengthen the promotion of decent work and ensure a better environment for the workforce.
“We meet today high in expectation, commitment, and resolve to continue strengthening the socio-cultural pillar of regional cooperation through innovative, technology-driven, and sustainable measures that will enable workers and businesses to grow and prosper in line with the goal of decent work and inclusive growth for all,” Bitonio told ASEAN senior labor officials on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
The senior labor officials are meeting physically after two years of virtual meetings due to COVID-19.
Indonesian Ministry of Manpower Secretary General Dr. Anwar Sanusi, as outgoing chair, expressed confidence that the working group can continue to serve as a platform to foster cooperation and contribute to the region’s post-pandemic recovery efforts under the Philippine leadership.
“We passed the SLOM chairmanship baton to the Philippines. I believe under , we can accelerate our efforts to realize our ambition of an inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic ASEAN community,” said Sanusi.
The 18th SLOM also highlighted the promotion of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
According to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director-General Rosanna Urdaneta, the Philippines’ commitment to the ASEAN in terms of TVET include strengthening the labor market orientation of TVET, enhancing the capacity of TVET human resource, and increasing demand for TVET-related jobs, among others.
The Philippines is also the inaugural chair of the ASEAN TVET Council (ATC), established to promote competitive human resources, market-responsive skills, better employment opportunities, and higher productivity in the digital economy through technical and vocational education and training.