“I learned ILO based on reading materials about the ILO so I was able to know that the Philippines is a member of the ILO and as a member it has several obligations like we have to report on certain conventions that we have ratified and there is a period of reporting and also on ratified conventions and also submission of international labour standards that are being adopted by the Conference to the competent authorities.”

[Man’s voice in background] “That was very pretty!”

I came from the private sector before I entered here in the department. So I don’t have any background on the ILO, what it’s working on, how it is working, so through my own readings. When I’m given a task, I have to read what I am going to do, and then through my colleagues, they are also guiding us on how to make things. Our former chief here in the Division here in the Division has also undergone training on international labour standards and so she is the one who guides us on the ILO structure, its supervisory mechanism and so she emphasizes to us that if we are not going to submit our reports on time then we will be subjected to a certain ‘ILO-gram’, ILO reminding us of the submission of our reports. So, that is to supplement my reading.”

In 2010, Ms. Abayao was able to complement her on the job training with ITC/ILO training on ILS.

Special thanks got to the Honorable Secretary of Labor and Employment of the Philippines, and the Director and staff of the International Labor Affairs Bureau of the Department of Labor of the Philippines for their generous cooperation in the production of this video.