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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOLE defends labor gains amid 'worst countries for workers' tag

DOLE defends labor gains amid 'worst countries for workers' tag

Published Jun 9, 2025 11:20 am

At A Glance

  • The Philippines was listed among the ten worst countries for workers in the 2025 Global Rights Index by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
  • The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) defended the country's labor record, citing ongoing reforms and international recognition.
  • Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma highlighted the Philippines' election to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association.
  • The country's exclusion from the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) review was cited as a sign of reform progress.
  • DOLE acknowledged persistent challenges but stressed that systemic reforms and social dialogue remain part of its core labor agenda.
Following the Philippines’ inclusion in a global list of the 10 worst countries for workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) defended the country’s labor record, citing ongoing reforms and recent milestones as proof of progress in upholding workers’ rights.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma pointed to the Philippines’ election to the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Committee on Freedom of Association as a key indicator of its improving labor standards.
He also highlighted the country’s exclusion from this year’s ILO Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) review, saying it reflects international recognition of the reforms being implemented.
“If the Philippines is truly one of the worst countries for workers, then how did we earn a seat in the Committee on Freedom of Association for the first time last year?” Laguesma said, questioning the credibility of the ITUC ranking.
The 2025 Global Rights Index released by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) gave the Philippines a rating of 5—the lowest classification, indicating no guarantee of workers’ rights.
The report cited continuing issues such as police violence, red-tagging of union leaders, and unresolved collective bargaining agreements.
The country was listed alongside Bangladesh, Myanmar, Belarus, Nigeria, Ecuador, Egypt, Tunisia, Eswatini, and Türkiye in the ITUC’s 10 worst-rated nations for workers this year.
DOLE stressed that systemic reforms launched in 2023 were designed to address longstanding complaints filed as early as 2009, particularly those involving union protection and dispute resolution.
It added that the Philippines’ non-inclusion in the ILO CAS review list signals a positive assessment from the ILO’s tripartite body composed of governments, employers, and workers.
Still, the ITUC report noted ongoing challenges facing Filipino workers, including low wages, limited access to employment programs, and domestic job scarcity that continues to fuel labor migration.
DOLE acknowledged these issues but maintained that institutional reforms, sustained dialogue, and inclusive labor policies remain central to its strategy to improve worker protection and expand access to decent and productive employment nationwide.

Related Tags

Bienvenido Laguesma labor rights Global Rights Index 2025 International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
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