By NG Seruela
The Philippines has assumed chairmanship of the International Labor Organization (ILO), making history as the first non-member to assume the position.
In today’s (July 8) Laging Handa public briefing, Geneva, Switzerland Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Labor Attaché Cheryl Daytec-Yañgot explained that the ILO “brings together workers, employers, and governments” to establish treaties and conventions regarding labor.
She said one of the “most important” roles of the ILO is to provide technical assistance to the countries in fulfilling their obligations to their workers and employers.
“So, ang Pilipinas, isa diyan [sa] nakinabang sa mga technical assistance na galing sa ILO,” she explained.
“So, in the last 10 years, we were able to receive technical assistance, na-train ang ating mga labor inspectorates for example, may mga capacitated na mga labor leaders, may mga naibigay na funding, I think more than $44 million in the last 10 years. So napaka-importante ng International Labor Organization, kasi siya ang nagpapanday ng mga international na polisiya para sa paggawa,” Daytec-Yañgot added.
Daytec-Yañgot said the Philippines is not a regular member nor a deputy member of the organization. The country’s role is an observer, so voting power and speaking rights were not given to the Philippines.
“Kaya napakalaking bagay na tayo ay nahalal na chairperson ngayon ng government group, kasi tayo na ngayon ang mamumuno sa grupo ng gobyerno [sa ILO] . We bring them together, we help the government develop, governments develop iyong consensus ng gobyerno para iharap sa workers at employers, tapos tayo rin ang nagpapa-meeting, tayo ang parang mediator.”
She emphasized that being the chairperson of the organization calls on democracy, awareness of small countries, and the observance of the principle of equality of states.
“So, napakalaking bagay na ang Philippines na hindi member, deputy member, hindi siya voting member ay siya ang chairperson ngayon. Malaking bagay ito dahil sinasabi natin ngayon na ang ILO dapat mag-democratize, dapat bigyang pansin ang mga maliliit na bansa, dapat we have to observe the principle of equality of states, walang bansa dapat na walang boses.” – jlo
