Strengthening freedom of association and action against child labour in the Philippines

The project focuses on advancing freedom of association of workers and their right to organize and on the elimination of child labour.

Funded by the Government of Canada through the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development (ESDC), the project will provide:

• technical assistance aligned with ILO Conventions on freedom of association and child labour;
• support to institutional capacity-building; and
• facilitate social dialogue and share lessons learned as well as good practices on fair labour practices and labour rights and core labour standards including collective bargaining, discrimination, and occupational safety and health, especially on trade sectors.

The project will also look at gender-related issues or gaps in freedom of association and labour rights. It will draw on the priorities of the women workers’ agenda, as well as vulnerabilities that children in child labour face because of their gender.

On freedom of association, the project will engage the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC). The NTIPC is the Philippines’ primary tripartite social dialogue institution with equal representation of government, workers' and employers' organizations and improve the implementation of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87).

The roadmap outlines strategic action points by tripartite constituents to address the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards’ High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) recommendations.

• Download the project fact sheet

© Minette Rimando/ILO

© Minette Rimando/ILO

On child labour, the project will support the implementation of the Philippine Programme Against Child Labour (PPACL), particularly on:

• social and behavioural change campaign against child labour;
• the National Council Against Child Labour (NCACL) strengthening, expansion, localization and harmonization of efforts;
• enforcement of child labour laws and other relevant laws and policies; and
• knowledge management on child labour.

Project outcomes:

1. Tripartite roadmap on freedom of associations - Workers’ freedom of association and right to organize promoted in line with the 2023 HLTM recommendations.
2. The Philippine Programme Against Child Labour is supported in removing children from child labour and keeping them in school.

© Marcel Crozet/ILO

© Marcel Crozet/ILO