The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) acknowledges and welcomes Executive Order (EO) No. 23, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on 30 April 2023, which mandates the creation of an Inter-Agency Committee for the Protection of the Freedom of Association and Right to Organise of Workers.

EO 23 directs the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of action plans among government agencies and members from the Executive branch—namely, the Executive Secretary, the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Trade and Industry, National Security Council, and the Philippine National Police—to ensure speedy and impartial investigation, prosecution, and resolution of cases related to workers’ rights to freedom of association and right to organise.

As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR has always stood in solidarity with workers and the protection of their rights. The Commission has consistently raised persisting labor issues that the government needs to address, including the prevalence of contractualisation[1], the lack of job security and benefits[2], and the harassment and violence against union leaders[3].

CHR underscores that the same observations and recommendations were raised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) during their visit in the Philippines on 23 to 26 January 2023. Citing the report, the ILO HLTM has urged the government to establish “a single presidentially mandated body to comprehensively identify and address all outstanding cases of alleged labor-related extrajudicial killings and abductions with priority emphasis on criminal investigation and prompt prosecution and accountability.”[4]

CHR hopes that EO 23 will directly comply with the above recommendation. The creation of the panel is a step towards resolving persisting labor issues and upholding labor rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the ILO’s core conventions.

In the interest of participatory governance and genuine democracy, it is also crucial that the panel engage in meaningful dialogue with workers’ organisations and other relevant stakeholders. Through this, they can be more informed and equipped in addressing the root causes of labor issues and provide effective recommendations on how to improve the labor situation in the country.

We note that some workers’ organisations have been subjected to profiling and red-tagging for their causes.[5] CHR hopes that the interagency committee to be formed remains impartial and objective in the conduct of their duties to truly serve the ends of upholding the human rights of all.

On its part, CHR continues to support and monitor measures which seek to protect and promote workers’ rights and create an enabling environment for workers to exercise their human rights. We remain ready to support efforts in any way possible for decent work and the dignity of all. ###

[1] Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann De Guia, on Senate’s approval on “Anti-Endo” bill, and the signing into law of 4Ps https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-on-senates-approval-on-anti-endo-bill-and-the-signing-into-law-of-4ps/

[2] Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, in support of the proposed Security of Tenure Law https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-executive-director-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-in-support-of-the-proposed-security-of-tenure-law/

[3] Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline de Guia, on attacks and harassments against union leaders and members https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-de-guia-on-attacks-and-harassments-against-union-leaders-and-members/

[4] International Labour Organization (ILO) Report of the High-Level Tripartite Mission, Philippines 23 – 26 January 2023 https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_norm/—normes/documents/missionreport/wcms_874240.pdf

[5] CHR 2020 Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, https://cdn1.chr.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08165055/CHRP-2020-Report-on-the-Situation-of-Human-Rights-Defenders.pdf