Consistent with the national development plan, its vision is the attainment of full decent and productive employment for every Filipino worker. It is mandated to promote gainful employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and promote their welfare and maintain industrial peace. To contribute in the attainment of the national employment goals, it adopts the following strategies: (1) a gainfully employed workforce, (2) a globally competitive workforce, (3) a secure workforce, and (4) a safe and healthy workforce. Attainment of these strategic goals would be the Department’s contribution to the national goal of reducing poverty.

Strategic Goal 1: a gainfully employed workforce means that workers enjoy gainful employment either as wage worker (locally or overseas), self-employed or entrepreneur.

Strategic Goal 2: a globally competitive workforce means that workers possess demand-driven skills, technical education, and productivity improvement technologies.

Strategic Goal 3: a secure workforce means that workers are accorded with fair and humane terms and conditions of work and social protection.

Strategic Goal 4: a safe and healthy workforce means that workers enjoy a safe and healthy working environment.

To carry out its mandate, the Department has 16 regional offices, 34 overseas posts, 6 bureaus, 7 staff services, and 11 agencies attached to it for policy and program supervision and/or coordination.