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 in 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 across the ASEAN region to fully harness its economic potential and ensure sustainable growth. 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, compiling, and analyzing data to facilitate informed decision-making among various stakeholders. These systems are essential for identifying current skills mismatches, predicting future skills requirements, and fostering coordination between public and private sectors.
Torres also noted that as the employment landscape evolves, ASEAN’s LMIS must adapt to capture the specific skills needed due to technological advancements, environmental sustainability, and the need for inclusive growth. This can be achieved through sharing best practices and leveraging technology for better 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 key challenges, and pinpoint strategic actions to enhance regional LMI systems. The goal is to develop a more data-driven, future-ready workforce, ensuring workers are equipped for both current and future job markets.
DOLE’s hosting of the event underscores its commitment to enhancing skills development for better job quality and more employment opportunities for Filipino workers, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s goal of boosting the country’s human capital to drive economic growth.