Phl spared from ILO labor probe, cites progress in workers’ rights

The 113th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) commenced on Tuesday, 3 June (Philippine time), with 187 member states, including the Philippines, participating in Geneva, Switzerland.

On the first day of the ILC, the International Labour Organization (ILO) decided not to subject the Philippine government to examination by the ILO’s Committee on Application of Standards (CAS), Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma announced Tuesday.

The CAS is one of the ILO’s supervisory mechanisms, tasked with ensuring compliance by member states with ILO conventions they have ratified.

The Philippines had been examined by the CAS in the past two years for alleged failure to implement ILO Convention No. 87, or the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention. This was due to long-standing allegations of harassment, intimidation, and violence against union members exercising their rights to organize.

Laguesma said the decision not to examine the Philippines this year reflects the ILO's acknowledgment of the country’s progress in implementing Convention 87.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government was also elected to chair the Committee on Decent Work in the Platform Economy during the 113th ILC.

This marks the first formal discussion on proposed conclusions aimed at establishing new international labor standards to promote decent work in the platform economy.

Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr., head of the Philippine delegation to the ILC, was elected chair of this technical committee.

In his opening remarks, Bitonio noted the exponential growth of the platform economy — such as gig work and digital platforms — across countries and regions, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that there is broad consensus on the need for an international instrument or set of instruments that will help ILO member states optimize the opportunities and address the challenges that the platform economy presents, especially in terms of work and employment relationships.

The committee will meet from 2 to 12 June at the Palais des Nations and is expected to report to the Conference on 13 June.