MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has highlighted the critical role of advanced labor market information systems (LMIS) in tackling skills shortages during the green and digital economic shifts across Southeast Asia. This was emphasized by DOLE Undersecretary Carmela Torres during a workshop in Makati City, attended by ASEAN member states, international organizations, and development partners.
Torres, speaking on behalf of Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, stressed the necessity of addressing skills gaps in high-growth sectors within the ASEAN region to fully harness its economic potential and ensure sustainable growth through a skilled workforce. She pointed out that by enhancing data quality, improving coordination among stakeholders, and utilizing technology, LMIS can significantly contribute to building resilient economies.
LMIS plays a vital role in gathering, processing, and analyzing data to facilitate informed decision-making among various stakeholders. These systems are essential for identifying current skills mismatches, forecasting future skills requirements, and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors.
Torres also emphasized the need for ASEAN’s LMIS to adapt to the evolving employment landscape, driven by technological advancements, environmental sustainability, and the push for inclusive growth. This adaptation involves sharing best practices and leveraging technology for more effective policy formulation.
A significant outcome of the workshop was the launch of the Regional Mapping of Labor Market Information for Skills and Employment Policies in ASEAN member states. This project, led by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and the labor ministries of the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia, aims to demonstrate how LMIS can influence workforce policies and programs.
The workshop also provided a platform for ASEAN countries to exchange country-specific insights, evaluate major challenges, and pinpoint strategic actions to improve regional LMI systems. The goal is to foster a data-driven, future-ready workforce that can secure quality jobs now and be prepared for future job markets.
DOLE’s hosting of the event underscores its commitment to enhancing skills development for better job quality and increased employment opportunities for Filipino workers, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s focus on boosting human capital to drive economic growth.