THE Philippines will now be taking the lead over the influential Government body of the International Labour Organization (ILO), giving it a key role in setting global standards.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officially assumed the chairmanship of the ILO body last week, the DOLE announced on Sunday.

Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III hailed the development, especially since Philippines is the first non-regular member country of the ILO to assume such role.

"We will also exercise pivotal role in helping the ILO achieve full, equal, and more democratic participation of its small, non-regular members in setting policies and programs," Bello said.

As chairman of the Government group of ILO, it will be responsible for convening and chairing the Group meetings during and outside ILO official meetings and facilitating negotiation for a common position, thus contributing to reaching consensus.

DOLE's International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) Director Alice Visperas said the country will turn over the chairmanship of the government body on June 28, 2022.

The ILO has three bodies in its tripartite governing board representing labor, employers and the government sector.

It comprises 56 titular members (28 Governments, 14 Employers, and 14 Workers) and 66 deputy members (28 Governments, 19 Employers, and 19 Workers).

The powers of the governing body includes deciding on ILO policy, setting the agenda of the International Labor Conference, adopting the draft Programme and Budget of the Organization for submission to the Conference, and electing the Director-General.

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