Breakout Session: #DecentEmployment
Ms. Maria Isabel D. Artajo from the Institute for Labor Studies of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is the main speaker for the #DecentEmployment session held at Yuchengo 408. It was participated by students, faculty and representatives from organizations of different sector in the community.
The presentation started with the definition of decent work. Ms. Artajo placed emphasis on “promoting opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work.” She also discussed the SDGs especially those that seek to promote decent employment in the Philippine context.
Along with her discussion on the global goals, she also shared relevant labor sector data including working age, labor force participation, unemployment rates and employment vulnerability. Based on her presentation, most Filipinos work in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and service sectors, respectively. Employment opportunities in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Sector also grew. Meanwhile, gender disparity is still prevalent with women’s access to jobs remaining low.
Various concerns and issues in the labor sector were also discussed. To address this, strategic solutions such as those indicated in the Ambisyon Natin 2040 Agenda, must be implemented. For this, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), plays a critical role.
The following strategies were highlighted:
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After the presentation, the participants were able to express their thoughts and reactions through an open forum facilitated by Ms. Norby Salunga. The session concluded with awarding of certificate to the resource speaker and group photo.
OPEN FORUM: DOLE
Q: Bilang organisasyon na nagmumula sa urban poor sector, mahalaga na dapat alam din ng mga LGUs (Local Government Units) particularly sa mga barangay ang SDGs.
[As an organization from the urban poor sector, it is important that the LGUs, particularly the barangays, know the SDGs.]
[As an organization from the urban poor sector, it is important that the LGUs, particularly the barangays, know the SDGs.]
A: Opo, tama po yun, nakikita na may mahalagang papel ang organizing at social organizations sa grassroots level. Mahalaga ang role niyo na i-pressure ang power holders or LGU.
[Yes, that's right. We can see that organizing and social organizations have important roles to play at the grassroots level. Your role to pressure power holders or LGU is important.]
It is still a challenge to promote appreciation for SGDs at the local level. It is equally difficult to encourage LGUs to get involvement in the SDGs. The role of people ‘s organization is to oblige the LGUs to do their job.
[Yes, that's right. We can see that organizing and social organizations have important roles to play at the grassroots level. Your role to pressure power holders or LGU is important.]
It is still a challenge to promote appreciation for SGDs at the local level. It is equally difficult to encourage LGUs to get involvement in the SDGs. The role of people ‘s organization is to oblige the LGUs to do their job.
Q: In our case, sa SOBA (state of the barangay address) ang nagsasalita lang ay ang kapitan. Walang avenue para makapag participate ang mga tao. Siguro maganda din na sana mahanapan ng paraan saan pwede magtagpo at magtulungan.
[In our case, during the SOBA (state of the barangay address), the village chief is the only one talking. There is no avenue for people to participate. It maybe good and we hope we could find a way where people can come together and help each other.]
[In our case, during the SOBA (state of the barangay address), the village chief is the only one talking. There is no avenue for people to participate. It maybe good and we hope we could find a way where people can come together and help each other.]
A: May mga ganun po talagang LGUs no. Pero critical po ang role ninyo, paano gawing constructive approach or different strategies. At mahalaga na organized ang community.
[There really are LGUs that are like that. But your role is critical on how constructive approaches or different strategies may be utilized. And it is important for the community to be organized.]
[There really are LGUs that are like that. But your role is critical on how constructive approaches or different strategies may be utilized. And it is important for the community to be organized.]
Q: Are there existing programs to reach the Indigenous People or appropriate sa need ng mga IPs?
These are sectoral issues and peculiar but it is considered in the discussions and policies. Most of them (IPs) experienced structural discrimination and recently I’ve attended the forum on Women Indigenous People on Employment on the National Livelihood Framework. Included din doon ang IPs, kasi very unique din yung IPs.
[These are sectoral issues and peculiar but it is considered in the discussions and policies. Most of them (IPs) experienced structural discrimination and recently I’ve attended the forum on Women Indigenous People on Employment on the National Livelihood Framework. Included there are the IPs, because they are very unique.]
[These are sectoral issues and peculiar but it is considered in the discussions and policies. Most of them (IPs) experienced structural discrimination and recently I’ve attended the forum on Women Indigenous People on Employment on the National Livelihood Framework. Included there are the IPs, because they are very unique.]
Q: Pinag-aaralan ba nila yung employment? Kasi sa usaping contractualization, sabi ni President Duterte mawawala na yun, pero hindi nababago.
[Are they also studying employment? Because on the issue of contractualization, President Duterte said that this will practice will be elimnated. But the reality is, the situation has not changed.]
[Are they also studying employment? Because on the issue of contractualization, President Duterte said that this will practice will be elimnated. But the reality is, the situation has not changed.]
A: Yes. Pinag-aaralan po, pero iba- iba kasi talaga ang perspective. Mayroon lang talagang dominating na prespectives at mayroon namang marginalized na perspective. Actually 99.9 % of business ay SMEs. Hindi pa ganun ka strong ang SMEs kasi pag nag-hire sila it will greatly affect their business and it will take some time. Hindi po kayang solusyunan ng isang tao lang ang problema.
[Yes, we are studying that. However, the perspectives are really varied. There are just dominant and marginalized perspectives on the matter. Actually, 99.9% of businesses are SMEs (small and medium scale enterprises). The SMEs are not yet that strong that is why when they hire, it greatly affects their business and it will take some time. [Respectful tone] One person cannot solve the problem.]
[Yes, we are studying that. However, the perspectives are really varied. There are just dominant and marginalized perspectives on the matter. Actually, 99.9% of businesses are SMEs (small and medium scale enterprises). The SMEs are not yet that strong that is why when they hire, it greatly affects their business and it will take some time. [Respectful tone] One person cannot solve the problem.]
Q: As a working mother, mayroon talagang kakulangan sa trabaho, siguro ang maganda din ay mag sariling sikap, wag i-asa sa gobyerno. Bilang nanay, gagawin mo ang lahat para maitaguyod mo ang iyong mga anak.
[As a working mother, jobs are really scarce. I think it is also good to have individual hardwork and not depend on the government. As a mother, you will do everything to support your children.]
[As a working mother, jobs are really scarce. I think it is also good to have individual hardwork and not depend on the government. As a mother, you will do everything to support your children.]
A: Yes. We recognize individual efforts pero may systemic problem talaga that prevents them na umangat sa buhay. Pagsamasamahin lang yung efforts. Sa government agencies din, sad ako kasi mayroon pa ding contractualization, not just sa business sector. At yung contractual doon walang benefits, or social protection. Siguro mahalaga din an i-reinforce din sa kanila.
Siguro hindi rin nila mapush kasi sila din mismo lumalabag. This is an avenue not to complain but also to push the governement to put that into flesh. Siguro isa ding realization today, ay ang karangalan na maka-attend ng forum. Sana ay makarating din ito sa mga grassroots level.
[Yes, we recognize individual efforts but there are really systemic problems that prevents them from rising up in life. Efforts must just be synergized. In the government agencies too, I am sad because contractualization is still present, not just in the business sector. And the contractual worker there has no benefits or social protection. I think it is also important to reinforce [policies] to them. But maybe they cannot push because they themselves are violating [the no-contractualization policy]. This is an avenue not to complain but also to push the government to put that [policy] into flesh. Maybe one realization for today is the privilege to attend forums. We hope the grassroots level coul also attend.]
Siguro hindi rin nila mapush kasi sila din mismo lumalabag. This is an avenue not to complain but also to push the governement to put that into flesh. Siguro isa ding realization today, ay ang karangalan na maka-attend ng forum. Sana ay makarating din ito sa mga grassroots level.
[Yes, we recognize individual efforts but there are really systemic problems that prevents them from rising up in life. Efforts must just be synergized. In the government agencies too, I am sad because contractualization is still present, not just in the business sector. And the contractual worker there has no benefits or social protection. I think it is also important to reinforce [policies] to them. But maybe they cannot push because they themselves are violating [the no-contractualization policy]. This is an avenue not to complain but also to push the government to put that [policy] into flesh. Maybe one realization for today is the privilege to attend forums. We hope the grassroots level coul also attend.]
Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143