DOLE Department Order No. 241-24: Implementing Guidelines of the DOLE AMP for Workers and Enterprises

The Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issued last 1 February 2024 the Implementing Guidelines on the Adjustment Measures Program (“AMP”) for workers and enterprises (the “Guidelines”).

The objective of DOLE-AMP is to reduce or mitigate the vulnerability of workers and enterprises from economic disruptions and thereby enhance the capacity for job preservation and generation, improve human resources and enterprise viability and resilience, raise levels of productivity and competitiveness, and actively contribute to the promotion of decent and sustainable work opportunities. The DOLE-AMP support projects are to be implemented for the common benefit of workers and employers in micro, small, and medium enterprises, following the requirements and conditions outlined in the Guidelines.

A project under the DOLE-AMP may consist of any or a combination of the following components:

1. Capacity-building measures such as training to upgrade the technical, professional, and managerial knowledge, skills, and competencies of a targeted group or groups of employees, whether rank-and-file, supervisory, or managerial, to help preserve or enhance their employment in the enterprise.
2. Business enhancement and adaptation measures such as improvement of operational and management systems of the enterprise; reorganization of work processes and methods; acquisition and installation of tools, implements, facilities, or technology-based and digital applications; introduction, installation, and initialization of new technologies particularly those that support the creation of or shift to green and sustainable work processes and jobs; and engagement of specialized consultancy and technical services necessary for these purposes;
3. Just transition measures including education and training subsidies to support workers and employees in upgrading their skills, competencies, and knowledge, particularly in the fields of digitalization, sustainable work and business practices, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and management with the view of preserving or enhancing their employment and employability. 
4. Product development and innovation measures such as the setting up of physical facilities or technology applications to improve product quality and packaging, as well as to enhance access to markets and to supply and distribution chains; and
5. Reward systems and productivity improvement measures including schemes and methods to operationalize productivity-gain sharing and performance-based incentives.

There are certain procedures and requirements for availing the DOLE-AMP as provided under the Guidelines. Upon completion of an evaluation, the DOLE Regional Office shall notify the proponent of the approval or disapproval of the project proposal. A notice shall succinctly state the grounds, therefore. The disapproval is without prejudice to the submission of a modified or new proposal by the same proponent.

Once approval is obtained, a Memorandum of Agreement shall be executed to implement the approved project.