By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MAKATI CITY – The new Freedom of Association (FOA) training program in the Philippines was launched on Monday (Sept. 22) here at the Makati Diamond Residences.
The program was organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the Government of Canada through the Strengthening freedom of association and action against child labour in the Philippines and the European Union through the Trade for Decent Work Project.
“Significant progress has been achieved; and we need to continue working together to sustain the efforts. This new training resource is more than a tool. It reflects the country’s commitment to address challenges and implement recommendations for stronger social dialogue and freedom of association,” Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, said.
Hassan welcomed and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the guests and organizers of the launch.
He cited the ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention.
Hassan commended the leadership of Labor Secretary Laguesma.
He also cited the “Trabaho sa Bayan” Technical Committee.
“The right to freely associate, to organize and to engage in collective bargaining is not simply a technical matter,” DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said.
“It is a human right—because it gives people a voice, protects their dignity and calls on all of us to take part in building fair and productive relations at work. It is what allows trust to grow, peace to take hold, and progress to become real in the world of work,” Laguesma added.
“Today’s gathering is a symbol of leadership and purpose,” he said.
Laguesma said that the launch is a significant program to protect labor and human rights.
“We in the DOLE continue to perform our duty and responsibility to ensure freedom of association and the right to organuze,” Laguesma said.
He stressed that the program is not just a project but a long-time commitment.
Laguesma expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the successful launch of freedom of association training program.
He announced that the Omnibus Guidelines for the Freedom of Association is now in the level of an Executive Order according to Executive Secretary Bersamin and it would have been issued today if not for the government work suspension for today.
The new FOA training resource aims to equip government agencies, workers, employers, and security forces to better uphold, recognize and implement fundamental labour rights.
It builds on the Philippines’ commitment to address the findings and recommendations of the ILO’s High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) in 2023 on alleged serious violations of trade union rights, specifically the application of the ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87).
The training resource comprises five modules covering human rights as a pillar for democracy; labour rights and freedom of association in the Philippines; documentation and reporting of violations and workers’ remedies; FOA in the context business and human rights, gender, climate and migration.
“Labour rights are human rights. By protecting freedom of association, we strengthen both our democracy and economy. This launch demonstrates the country’s resolve to uphold these values and promote human rights through democratic institutions that remain strong and by dispensing justice without fear or discrimination,” Keynote Speaker Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the 25th Chief Justice, said.
Bersamin served as President and General Manager of GSIS before he was appointed Executive Secretary in September 2022.
“We convene today to launch the freedom of association training program,” he said.
“Democracy cannot flourish without the freedom of association,” he added.
“Executive Order No. 23 operationalizes our commitment to ILO Freedom of Association,” Bersamin said.
He noted that the Inter-Agency Committee has convened tripartite forum and with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in order to ensure the freedom of association.
Bersamin thanked the ILO, Government of Canada and the European for their support in the freedom of association.
He cited that under the leadership of Secretary Laguesma, the international commitment of the Philippines to freedom of association.
As Chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee and Executive Secretary, Bersamin pledged the full support of the Office of the President for the freedom of association.
“We affirm our commitment to support and sustain the FOA Training Program in order to promote, respect and protect freedom of association,” the FOA manifesto states and signed by the guests and stakeholders.
The launch created a platform for stakeholders to affirm their commitment to support and sustain the FOA training program, respects, and protect freedom of association.
The CHR commended the DOLE for the launch of the freedom of association training program.
Over a hundred top officials and representatives from government, trade unions, workers and employers organizations, private sector, security forces, academe, civil society organizations, and development partners participated in the launch. ###
