Philippines approves Global Accelerator Roadmap to expand decent jobs, social protection for just transition
Manila, Philippines - The Philippine government has approved the Global Accelerator (GA) Roadmap on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, a major step to create more decent jobs, expand social protection, and support workers and enterprises through economic, digital, and climate transitions.
The Trabaho Para sa Bayan-Inter Agency Council (TPB-IAC) approved the roadmap, under the leadership of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in close collaboration with national government agencies, workers' and employers' organizations and development partners.The TPB-IAC also serves as the GA National Steering Committee.
The roadmap focuses on the construction and transportation sectors, which are critical to the country’s infrastructure, climate and digital transition agendas, while employing large numbers of informal and vulnerable workers. Together, the two sectors accounted for approximately 11.5 per cent of GDP in 2025 and employed an estimated 8.6 million people in December 2025—about 17.4 per cent of total employment.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis N. Tolentino welcomed the approval of the roadmap, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to protect workers and prepare them for future jobs.
“The Department of Labor and Employment welcomes the approval of the Philippine Roadmap for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. This milestone strengthens our efforts to expand decent work, enhance social protection, and prepare Filipino workers for the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world of work, particularly the transportation and construction sectors,” Secretary Tolentino said.
Developed with support from the UN Joint Programme “Supporting the Acceleration of Decent Job Creation and Enhancing Social Protection for Just Transitions”, the roadmap comes at a critical time as the Philippines strengthens efforts to improve workplace safety, expand social protection, and prepare workers for economic, technological, and environmental transitions.
It advances measures to strengthen occupational safety and health compliance, improve worker protection mechanisms, and expand access to social protection, particularly for workers in informal and project-based jobs. It also supports workforce development, green skills, climate-resilient transport systems, and other initiatives that will help workers adapt to the changing world of work.
The roadmap sets five key outcomes to be achieved by 2030:
- accelerated employment generation
- expanded access to decent work
- universal and sustainable social protection
- just and green transitions for workers and enterprises
- stronger institutions for coordinated and effective implementation
Government agencies and partners will work together to advance these outcomes by strengthening labour market governance, supporting workforce skills development, expanding social protection systems, promoting green and digital transitions, and increasing opportunities for workers, enterprises and communities.
As a United Nations Global Accelerator Pathfinder Country, the Philippines joins a growing number of countries that are advancing integrated solutions to employment creation, social protection, and sustainable development.
It brings together the expertise of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), under the leadership and coordination of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines.
The UN remains committed to supporting the Philippines in implementing the roadmap and mobilizing partnerships, technical expertise, and financing opportunities that will help translate its ambitions into tangible benefits for Filipino workers, families and their children.
Together with the Global Accelerator Technical Support Facility (TSF), the UN supported the Philippines in designing a nationally owned roadmap through technical assistance and multi-stakeholder consultations to align the roadmap with international labour standards, social protection frameworks, and just transition principles.
Developed through extensive consultations conducted across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the roadmap reflects inputs from government agencies, workers' organizations, employers' groups, civil society organizations, local governments, and development partners.
Regional consultations and national validation workshops helped identify priorities and practical solutions for addressing informality, skills gaps, occupational safety and health concerns, and limited social protection coverage among workers in the transport and construction sectors.
The roadmap aligns with and directly supports key national priorities, including the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan, the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (PLEP) 2023-2028, and the Social Protection Plan 2023–2028. It also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty reduction, decent work, reduced inequalities, and climate action.
This was first published by the UN in the Philippines.