This report primarily takes stock of DOLE’s clients, and labor policies as well as programs being implemented for them, while providing an assessment of their impacts.  It recognizes trends and emerging issues in the area of welfare and protection among vulnerable sectors such as women, rural and young workers; the informal sector; and migrant workers.  It also carries cross-cutting concerns in occupational safety and health.  The situationer was prepared to lend the DOLE Workers’ Protection and Welfare Cluster possible policy and program directions.