Senate to consolidate measures needed for ILO Convention

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations convened on Tuesday to discuss and form a technical working group that will consolidate needed legislation to maximize the proposed implementation of the International Labor Organization or the ILO Convention 190.

Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the panel, said the ratification of the ILO convention is set to be concurred by the committee in recognition of the right of people—regardless of gender, employment status, and sector—to work free from violence and harassment.

"We hope that this would not only be ratified, but also be implemented as soon as possible," she said, citing the Republic Act 9262, 7877, 9710, 10361, 11166, 11210, and 11313, and some provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines.
She then asked government agencies and stakeholders for recommendations to strengthen measures against workplace harassment in the country.

"The ratification of this convention will fortify our state policy in many ways and certainly push forth Goal 5 on Gender Equality, Goal 8 on Decent Work in the Sustainable Development Goals," she said. "Perhaps we should consolidate all these existing laws with whatever future legislations will be necessitated," she continued.

During the hearing, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the convention offers a vital channel to address the violence and harassment problems faced by overseas Filipino workers.

"Thousands of our migrant workers encounter maltreatment, mistreatment, contract violation, contract substitution, sexual harassment, and rape, among others," he added, citing data from the Department of Migrant Workers recording some 65,136 labor and welfare cases in Riyadh, 43,225 cases in Kuwait, and 29,049 cases in Malaysia from January to July 2022.

Villanueva said the concurrence to the ratification of ILO C190 would demonstrate the country's dedication to fostering work environments free from violence and harassment.

"ILO C190 is not just any treaty; it signifies our commitment to enact tangible measures for the welfare and protection of our workers," he added.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said the concurrence in ILO C190 would pave the way for key government agencies, employers different institutions, and stakeholders to work together for an environment of gender violence- and harassment-free space for all workers—whether in the public or private sector, or the formal or informal economy.

It will particularly help advance women's empowerment, increase labor productivity, and contribute to peaceful industrial relations, she said.

It will also support the Philippine government's effort to implement the recommendations of the ILO High-Level Tripartite Mission to address violations of labor rights and freedom of association," she added.

Once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will become the first country in Asia to implement the convention.

Based on the data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, about 36 countries have already approved ILO C190, consisting of 12 nations in Europe; 10 in Africa; 7 in South America; 5 in North America; and 2 in the Pacific.