Rights at work

Freedom of association training modules in the Philippines

The FOA training modules, developed with tripartite inputs, consolidates ILO- supported tools on FOA and labour rights, integrating new policy insights across five modules and seventeen sessions.

25 August 2025

The International Labour Organization (ILO) promotes fundamental principles and rights at work, including FOA, collective bargaining, elimination of forced and child labour, non-discrimination, and the right to safe and healthy work. In the Philippines, efforts to strengthen compliance with ILO Convention No. 87 have advanced through the FOA roadmap adopted by the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, following recommendations of the 2023 ILO High-Level Tripartite Mission.

To support this commitment, the ILO, through the projects Strengthening Freedom of Association and Action Against Child Labour in the Philippines (FOA-CL) funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Trade for Decent Work (Trade4DW) funded by the European Union, has facilitated the development of a consolidated FOA training module. This module enhances capacity-building for government, workers, employers, and other stakeholders towards stronger protection of FOA and labour rights.

The FOA training module, developed and validated through tripartite consultations, comprises five modules with 17 sessions:

Module 1: Fundamentals of human rights, International Labour Standards, and freedom of association

Session 1- Human rights, labour rights, and democracy_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 5.53 MB Session 2_International Labour Standards and the International Labour Organization_Philippines_EN_2025.pdf - PDF 4.04 MB Session 3_Freedom of association and collective bargaining_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 4.03 MB

Module 2: Conditions and challenges in exercising freedom of association and related labour rights in the Philippines

Session 4_Key Philippine laws and policies on the exercise of FOA and related labour rights_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 4.51 MB Session 5_National enforcement and monitoring mechanisms on FOA and related labour rights and human rights_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 3.4 MB Session 6_FOA for State Security Forces and the conduct of Security Forces in the Exercise of Freedom of Association_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 2.88 MB Session 7_Human rights violations and challenges in the exercise of FOA_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 1.82 MB Session 8_Worker’s remedies for violations of constitutional guarantees, human rights and labour rights_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 2.67 MB

Module 3: Essential skills for documenting, reporting, and referring cases of violations of freedom of association and related labour rights in the Philippines

Session 9_Legal interview and case analysis_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 2.47 MB Session 10_Evidence and affidavit making_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 3.01 MB Session 11_Supplemental assistance referral pathways for affected workers_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 1.15 MB

Module 4: Freedom of association and labour rights in the context of business and human rights / responsible business conduct

Session 12_International Standards and norms on business and human rights_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 2.94 MB Session 13_Labour and human rights due diligence in supply chains_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 1.88 MB Session 14_FOA and labour rights in the context of global trade and development financing_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 2.71 MB

Module 5: Gender, climate, and migration perspectives in the exercise of freedom of association

Session 15_Gender, Intersectionality, GEDSI, and Women in Trade Unions_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 3.1 MB Session 16_Labour Organizing and the Climate Crisis_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 2.28 MB Session 17_Session 1_Human rights, labour rights, and democracy_Philippines_EN_2025_Philippines_EN_2025 - PDF 3.44 MB