DOLE leads 6th workers in informal economy labor day celebration

nnounced that the DOLE led the holding of the Labor Day celebration for Workers in Informal Economy (WIE) on May 18 at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City.

“The celebration of Labor Day for Workers in Informal Economy is in line with Proclamation 1215 which declared May 1 to 7 of each year as ‘Linggo ng Paggawa’”, said Baldoz.

“This year’s WIE Labor Day celebration recognized the potential of the workers in informal economy in sustaining economic growth by transforming their micro-enterprises into larger enterprises,” she added.

The 6th WIE Labor Day celebration has a theme of “Pagyamanin ang Kaalaman Tungo sa Maunlad at Disenteng Kabuhayan.”

“I commend all workers from the informal economy who attended this event. We made this for you, for your benefit and welfare,” said Baldoz.

For this year’s celebration, Baldoz said the DOLE, through the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, and in coordination with its partners—National Anti-Poverty Commission-Workers in Informal Sector (NAPC-WIS); Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); DOLE National Capital Region; and Employees Compensation Commission (ECC)—had lined up meaningful activities, programs, and services that directly benefitted the participating informal workers during the event.

Baldoz added that the event was aimed at recognizing the economic and social contributions of the workers in the informal economy. It also served as a venue for the presentation of the outputs from the Regional Labor Social Dialogue which was discussed during the National Labor Relations Forum on 30 April at the OSHC.

The WIE Labor day celebration was also highlighted by the Commitment Setting between the government and the workers in the informal economy. The DOLE and representatives from WIE signed a formal declaration to promote the welfare and decent work agenda of workers in the informal economy. The welfare and decent work agenda for WIE was part of the output during the regional consultations between the government and labor groups on the Labor and Employment Plan 2016-2022.

The event was also highlighted by testimonials of selected worker-leaders and advocates from the informal economy sector about their experiences on the current challenges of the economic activities and general welfare of informal sector workers. The worker-leaders also gave recommendations on how the government can contribute to the overall improvement of the socio-economic conditions towards the goal of transitioning the workers in the informal economy to formal economy.

There were also information booths which disseminated information, education, and communication material that promotes the developmental needs and welfare of the WIS. The information booths included the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Transportation, and Department of Interior and Local Government.

To enhance workers’ knowledge, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) conducted an orientation of 5S, Productivity, and Occupational Safety and Health, while TESDA also provided WIEs with free massage during the event. (DOLE)