SPECIALIZED TRAINING ON
CHILD LABOR
FOR THE PHILIPPINE LABOR INSPECTORATE
FOREWORD
Child labor is a complex phenomenon which requires various and sometimes highly creative responses.
One such response is the Specialized Training on Child Labor for the Philippine Labor Inspectorate sponsored by the International Labor Organization's International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC), of which this Training Guide is the key output. It is creative in the sense that this is not the typical material associated with the Bureau of Working Conditions. It veers away from the usual presentation of laws, policies, statistics, guidelines and other relevant information on child labor. The technical and other materials are presented in artful or reader-friendly ways using appropriate computer graphics, designs and illustrations. There are also inspirational quotations from famous authors.
The Specialized Training Course itself differed from the usual capability-building programs run by the Bureau for the labor inspectors. For one, a team of consultants on human resources development was especially brought in to develop the program with the necessary technical inputs and background information from the Bureau. The training incorporated the basic training needs of the participants in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains to influence, if not transform them to be committed and effective advocates against child labor.
The Course used as main reference the ILO Training Guide titled Labour Inspection and the Adoption of a Policy on Child Labour by Jean-Maurice Derrien. Criteria in the selection of participants included age, length of service, educational background on the social sciences, and track record of performance, along with the endorsement or approval of their respective Office Heads. Twenty-two (22) labor inspectors from the Regional Offices and four (4) technical personnel from the Bureau underwent the training course which covered a six-month period.
The Course was conducted in three modules consisting of five days in October 1995, five days in December 1995, and another three days in March 1996, with two practicum periods (each of two months duration) in-between classroom meetings. The trainers and BWC staff made field monitoring visits during these practicum periods.
Thus, there is now a core group of child labor specialists in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) inspectorate spread out in the different regions who are well-equipped to handle child labor issues in the workplace.
I would like to extend our thanks to the Department leadership for its support which enthused us to pursue this project. I would also like to thank Director Richard Szal and his staff at the ILO-Manila Office for their support; Ms. Alcestis A. Mangahas, Ms. Ma. Lourdes P. Aranzanso, and Ms. Marge Parreñas-Simon of ILO-IPEC Philippines for their encouragement and trust in the value of the project; Mr. James Mante and Ms. Loree Cruz-Mante, our HRD consultants, for sharing not only their expertise, but also their insights on how to reinvigorate the Inspectorate; the Project Staff, particularly Atty. Emilia C. Anaya and Ms. Rosanna M. Tubelonia for their commitment to the project; the 26 participants for their involvement and contributions, including the pains and trials they have undergone in the interest of eliminating child labor; and everyone who, in one way or another, gave support for the successful completion of this training guide.
CHITA G. CILINDRO
Director IV
Bureau of Working Conditions
Department of Labor and Employment
May 1997
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