The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 23 that mandates the protection of freedom of association and the right of workers to organize. Signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last April 30, EO 23 mandates the creation of an inter-agency committee “to strengthen coordination and expedite the investigation, prosecution and resolution of cases of violations” of workers’ rights. It also directs the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of action plans among government agencies and members from the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Trade and Industry, National Security Council, and the Philippine National Police. In a statement, the CHR said that workers' organization is crucial as it promotes participatory governance and genuine democracy and allows it to engage in meaningful dialogue. In doing so, the CHR said that workers can be more informed and equipped in addressing the root causes of labor issues and provide effective recommendations on how to improve the labor situation in the country. It noted that some workers' organizations have been subjected to profiling and red-tagging activities. It said the creation of the inter-agency committee is a positive step towards resolving persisting labor issues and upholding labor rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Labor Organization's (ILO's) core conventions. It expressed hopes that the inter-agency committee would remain impartial and objective in the conduct of their duties to truly serve the ends of upholding the human rights of all. "As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR has always stood in solidarity with workers and the protection of their rights," it said. "The Commission has consistently raised persisting labor issues that the government needs to address, including the prevalence of contractualization, the lack of job security and benefits, and the harassment and violence against union leaders," it also said. It assured the commission’s continued support and monitoring of measures that will protect and promote workers' rights and create an enabling environment for workers to exercise their human rights.