This paper outlines a proposed labor policy agenda, which was drawn from the labor policy review undertaken by the DOLE in 1998.  On employment, government can no longer shirk from pursuing a pro-active employment policy.  It should also concern itself with the creation of employment opportunities.  On manpower development, the industry is expected to train its workers and share the burden of providing skills to workers.

On working conditions, the paper recommends less reliance on minimum wage fixing toward a more market- and collective bargaining-based approach to wage determination, and the use of flexible working hour arrangements.  On industrial relations, a more participatory approach of managing the workplace was proposed, where workers are given a stronger and more meaningful voice in decision-making processes.

Likewise, the program of dispute settlement should focus on prevention, rather than adjudication – promote preventive mediation, counseling, labor-management cooperation schemes, and other alternative dispute resolution schemes.