Pervasive and persistent poverty, especially in rural areas, high unemployment and underemployment and constraints to small and medium enterprises (SME) growth are a few of the challenges that the Philippines faces as it works to improve prospects for sustainable growth and decent work for all.
The ILO Country Office for the Philippines supports its tripartite constituents to promote coherent policies and integrated programmes for employment creation, enterprise and skills development.
The Employment Convention, 1964 (No. 122) requires action by governments to promote full employment. The ILO works with constituents in researching, developing and implementing programmes for, inter alia microfinance support, entrepreneurship training, local economic development, youth employment and climate change adaptation. Disadvantaged youth, indigenous peoples, victims of human trafficking and families affected by calamities and conflict are some of the office’s priority groups.