By Erika Mae P. Sinaking
THE PHILIPPINE government on Monday unveiled a training resource on freedom of association to strengthen labor education and address gaps in trade union rights flagged by a 2023 International Labour Organization (ILO) mission.
Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said the program underscores the administration’s resolve to “uphold democratic institutions and protect human rights through fair and accountable labor systems.”
The initiative, funded by Canada and the European Union, was developed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) in consultation with employers and workers. It aims to expand labor rights awareness, reinforce dialogue and prevent violations of the right to organize.
“This is not merely a technical exercise,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said at the launch in Makati. “The right to freely associate, to organize and to engage in collective bargaining is a human right that ensures dignity and builds trust in the workplace.”
Piloted in August, the freedom of association training includes five modules covering labor rights, violation reporting and the impact of business, gender, climate and migration.
The program is supported by an inter-agency committee created under Executive Order No. 23, which will coordinate with the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) to sustain dialogue among labor, employers and the government.
ILO Philippines Director Khalid Hassan said the resource directly responds to recommendations made by last year’s High-Level Tripartite Mission. “It’s a big initiative that can help the Philippines address several labor issues, especially as trade agreements increasingly carry labor provisions,” he told BusinessWorld.
He added that the manual’s integration into DoLE programs reflects institutional buy-in at a time when the Philippines is seeking more trade and investment ties with Canada, the EU, Australia and Germany, where labor standards are a key requirement.
“This manual will play a crucial role in strengthening labor processes and safeguarding compliance,” Mr. Hassan said.
Annie Enriquez-Geron, NTIPC labor representative for freedom of association, said the resource is “another opportunity to deepen engagement and ensure every worker, regardless of status, location or sector, can exercise their right without fear.”
