The Safe and Fair Programme — a regional initiative under the European Union-United Nations — applauded the Senate on Tuesday for ratifying the International Labour Organization convention on 11 December aimed at addressing violence and harassment in the world of work.

National project coordinator of the Safe and Fair Programme Rex Varona stressed that through the Senate's ratification, the Philippines becomes the first Asian country to endorse the agreement.

"This is significant not only for the Philippines but also for overseas Filipino workers including their workplaces. Now we have a channel to report violations," said Varona, adding that while the ratification has not yet made it official, the Senate has made a political decision in support of their advocacy.

"The ILO treaty was passed in 2019, necessitating ratification. Despite the Senate's recent ratification, the agreement remains unofficial as the Senate still needs to transmit the papers to the ILO headquarters. The crucial aspect is that the political decision to ratify has been made," Varona said.

Meanwhile, Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary for Land-based Services Jerome Alcantara said that one the important contribution of the project in safeguarding the women and OFWs is the policy level.

"The project's most important contribution lies in its impact on the policy level. When the law was being drafted, one of the most substantial changes we witnessed was related to reintegration," Alcantara said.