Freedom of Association
GSP+ Beneficiary Countries to Effectively Implement International Labour Standards and Comply with Reporting Obligations
The project, funded by the European Commission, contributes to better application of freedom of association and right to collective bargaining in the Philippines, focusing on measures to better address allegations concerning violation of workers’ rights in the context civil liberties.
The Philippines is among the beneficiaries of the Generalised Scheme of Preference or GSP+ of the European Union. It is the only country granted such an arrangement within South-East Asia since December 2014. The GSP+ or special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance grants zero duties for essentially the same 66 per cent tariff lines for countries, which ratify and effectively implement 27 core international human rights, labour rights and other sustainable development and good governance conventions.
The Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) are key ILO Conventions ratified by the Philippines. Workers right to self-organization as institutions to achieve social justice and equity is a major policy in the Philippines as enshrined in the Constitution. Challenges however remain in the effective application of enabling policies and international commitments.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), officially accepted the ILO High-Level Mission, which took place in September 2009 and the Direct Contacts Mission held in February 2017 upon the request of the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS). Both missions are part of the ILO’s technical assistance towards effective application of the ratified conventions.
While several policy reforms, measures and mechanisms have been introduced to implement recommendations of the 2009 High Level Mission, the 2017 Direct Contacts mission and 2016 Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) observations highlighted remaining concerns regarding numerous allegations of anti-union violence and lack of progress in the investigations and legislative reforms. The Direct Contacts Mission conclusions and recommendations categorized the issues into three main groups, specifically, those relating to civil liberties and trade union rights; legislative issues and promotion of a climate conducive to freedom of association.
The EU GSP + project, funded by the European Commission, incorporates relevant recommendations, while building upon gains achieved from ILO assistance and other measures particularly on the civil liberties and trade union rights involving violence against trade unionists, including extra-judicial killings (EJKs). The project will also seek to strengthen compliance of freedom of association, collective bargaining and labour rights in the context of expanded trade and investments.
19th Floor, Yuchengco Tower
6819 Ayala Avenue Makati City
1200 Philippines
Tel. +63 2 8580 9900
Fax +63 2 8856 7597
Email
The Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) are key ILO Conventions ratified by the Philippines. Workers right to self-organization as institutions to achieve social justice and equity is a major policy in the Philippines as enshrined in the Constitution. Challenges however remain in the effective application of enabling policies and international commitments.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), officially accepted the ILO High-Level Mission, which took place in September 2009 and the Direct Contacts Mission held in February 2017 upon the request of the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS). Both missions are part of the ILO’s technical assistance towards effective application of the ratified conventions.
While several policy reforms, measures and mechanisms have been introduced to implement recommendations of the 2009 High Level Mission, the 2017 Direct Contacts mission and 2016 Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) observations highlighted remaining concerns regarding numerous allegations of anti-union violence and lack of progress in the investigations and legislative reforms. The Direct Contacts Mission conclusions and recommendations categorized the issues into three main groups, specifically, those relating to civil liberties and trade union rights; legislative issues and promotion of a climate conducive to freedom of association.
The EU GSP + project, funded by the European Commission, incorporates relevant recommendations, while building upon gains achieved from ILO assistance and other measures particularly on the civil liberties and trade union rights involving violence against trade unionists, including extra-judicial killings (EJKs). The project will also seek to strengthen compliance of freedom of association, collective bargaining and labour rights in the context of expanded trade and investments.
Project objectives:
- To enhance awareness of freedom of association and collective bargaining principles among key government agencies towards promoting better compliance while advancing investments, trade and inclusive growth.
- To improve measures on investigation and monitoring to protect victims or potential victims of violations of civil liberties and trade union rights on freedom of association and collective bargaining.
- To strengthen the capacity of local government units and security forces to respect human rights, civil liberties and workers’ rights, during workers’ concerted activities (strikes, lockout), based on the 2011 Joint DOLE-PNP-PEZA Guidelines in the Conduct of PNP Personnel, Economic Zone Police and Security Guards, Company Security Guards and Similar Personnel during Labour Disputes and the 2012 Guidelines on the conduct of the DOLE, DILG, DND, DOJ, AFP and PNP Relative to the Exercise of Workers’ Rights and Activities.
- To better equip workers representatives on participating and contributing to the investigation and monitoring of trade union rights violations and to effectively use the Joint DOLE-PNP-PEZA Guidelines in the Conduct of PNP Personnel, Economic Zone Police and Security Guards, Company Security Guards and Similar Personnel during Labour Disputes and the Guidelines on the conduct of the DOLE, DILG, DND, DOJ, AFP and PNP Relative to the Exercise of Workers’ Rights and Activities.
- To improve employers’ programmes on applying social dialogue and labour law compliance based on freedom of association and collective bargaining principles and prevent violation of civil liberties and workers’ rights to better observe the Joint DOLE-PNP-PEZA Guidelines in the Conduct of PNP Personnel, Economic Zone Police and Security Guards, Company Security Guards and Similar Personnel during Labour Disputes and the Guidelines on the conduct of the DOLE, DILG, DND, DOJ, AFP and PNP Relative to the Exercise of Workers’ Rights and Activities.
For further information please contact:
ILO Country Office for the Philippines19th Floor, Yuchengco Tower
6819 Ayala Avenue Makati City
1200 Philippines
Tel. +63 2 8580 9900
Fax +63 2 8856 7597