Negotiators from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a two-day workshop aimed at enhancing the integration of labor standards in global trade negotiations involving the Philippines.
Organized by DOLE’s International Labor Affairs Task Force (ILATF), the workshop sought to equip participants with the necessary tools to incorporate labor issues into critical trade agreements.
DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. underscored the importance of including labor standards in key trade negotiations to protect workers' rights.
The focus of the discussions centered on prominent agreements such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement (PH-EU FTA), and the Philippines-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (PH-UAE CEPA).
The first day of the workshop introduced the fundamentals of linking trade and labor, while the second day involved hands-on activities, including group discussions and action planning.
DTI Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist Marionne Jay Shimada provided valuable insights into trade negotiations, covering topics such as market access, labor mobility, negotiation techniques, and the integration of professional services into trade policies.
She also offered updates on the ongoing negotiations for the IPEF, PH-EU FTA, and PH-UAE CEPA, with particular emphasis on labor-related provisions.
Throughout the sessions, participants focused on core labor standards, including collective bargaining, the elimination of forced labor, and anti-discrimination measures.
On the final day, attendees engaged in interactive exercises aimed at evaluating trade negotiations and proposing amendments to enhance labor standards in these critical agreements.
National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Technical Service Director Jerome P. Yanson emphasized the importance of aligning core International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and domestic laws with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
The workshop concluded with key takeaways and next steps, as ILATF head lawyer Abigail R. Dela Rosa highlighted the need for trade negotiations to benefit both labor and capital to foster sustainable economic development.