The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Wednesday warned that the convergence of environmental, digital, and social changes poses serious threats to workers, businesses, and national development.
“Global institutions are now calling for public-private sector initiatives to address the interconnected challenges,” ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis said at the 46th National Conference of Employers.
“Global warming and climate change have increased the severity of weather disturbances. Technological developments, particularly in AI, might soon outcompete humans in most tasks, putting workers’ jobs at risk more than ever,” he said.
ECOP adopted a set of resolutions during the conference, urging a multi-sectoral response to the sweeping impacts of climate change, technological disruption and demographic shifts, collectively termed the “triple transition.”
The conference, held at the Manila Hotel from July 29 to 30, convened Filipino business leaders and stakeholders under the theme “Leading Transitions for a Sustainable Future.”
The resolutions said the government should take the lead in shaping a sustainable future by addressing the adverse effects of environmental degradation, digital disruption and population shifts through an “all-of-society approach.”
ECOP resolved that the government and its agencies should work collaboratively with businesses, industry associations, non-government organizations, workers and their associations, the academe, and other social partners to develop and implement appropriate policies, strategies and programs to address the challenges brought about by the green, digital, and social transitions.
The organization also resolved that ECOP, as the recognized single voice of Filipino employers, would intensify its advocacy for a sustainable future by promoting policies for ethical and responsible business conduct among all employers in the Philippines.
It will also push for education and training strategies to prepare workers and the youth for the evolving demands of the workplace, while upholding the principles of bipartism, tripartism and social dialogue.
In line with its 50th anniversary, ECOP pledged to continue collaborating with government and social partners in implementing strategies and programs that will support and protect employers and workers from extreme climate, technological, social and geopolitical disruptions.
The resolution, formally adopted on July 30, will be submitted to the government for consideration.
 warns of serious threats to jobs and businesses from the 'Triple Transition' of environmental, digital, and social changes, urging government and multi-sectoral collaboration for a sustainable future.%%excerpt%%){kind=link}