Launch of the freedom of association training programme in the Philippines

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), will officially launch the new Freedom of Association (FOA) Training Programme on 22 September 2025 in Manila, Philippines.

This comprehensive training modules, developed through tripartite consultations, aims to equip government, workers, employers, and security forces with knowledge and tools to uphold freedom of association, strengthen social dialogue, and advance labour rights in the Philippines.

Objectives

• To introduce and roll out the FOA training modules as a key tool for promoting freedom of association and labour education.
• To strengthen tripartite commitment in advancing rights at work and implementing the FOA Roadmap.
• To create a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and capacity-building towards democratic, safe, and inclusive workplaces.

Partners

The event will feature Retired Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, the Executive Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines as Keynote Speaker, alongside DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and ILO Country Director Khalid Hassan.

More than a hundred representatives from government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, security forces, academe, civil society, and development partners will join the launch, affirming their shared commitment to promoting and protecting freedom of association.

Technical assistance was provided by the ILO in this initiative through the “Strengthening freedom of association and action against child labour in the Philippines” project funded by the Government of Canada and the “Trade for Decent Work” project funded by the European Union.