Section 2Sec./Art. 2

Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, promote full, productive and freely chosen employment and livelihood, and ensure equitable employment opportunities for all, irrespective of sex, race, color, religion, political opinion, ethnicity, or social origin.

Accordingly, the State shall, in pursuit of poverty reduction through decent jobs, sustainable enterprises, and economic transformation, ensure an environment that encourages more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, provide comprehensive support to existing and emerging businesses, particularly to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and improve the employability, productivity, and competitiveness of Filipino workers.

In order to carry out the policies of this Act, the "Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan," as provided herein, shall serve as the State's master plan on employment generation and recovery to realize short-term and long-term goals and visions for the country. It shall have the following objectives:

(a) To stimulate national and local economic growth and development through various means, including, but not limited to, aligning investment and other incentives provided by law to the creation of more decent employment and other work opportunities to address unemployment, underemployment, youth unemployment, rising precarity and informality of working arrangements, reintegration of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and other challenges in the labor market;

(b) To promote the employability, competitiveness, wellness, and productivity of workers through efficient, effective, and timely delivery of industry-relevant skills training and enhancement programs, reintegration pathways, active labor market activities, and other services to allow workers to gain access to and maximize opportunities in the labor market;

(c) To provide support and incentives to businesses, whether existing or emerging particularly MSMEs, including increased access to financing and capital, to promote self-reliance, spur employment generation, and ensure the security and protection of employment; and

(d) To incentivize employers, industry stakeholders, and other private sector organizations that offer training, technology, knowledge and skills transfer, upskilling and reskilling enterprise-based training, such as apprenticeship, work immersion, or on-the-job training, and other similar activities.