By Christine Fabro
Ahead of the commemoration of the Philippines’ 121st Labor Day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday, April 30, approved executive order (EO) creating an inter-agency committee that will look into the resolution of labor cases in the country.
In a release, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the EO cited concerns of various groups on the country’s implementation of International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87.
These include reported incidents of acts of violence, extra-judicial killings, harassment, suppression of trade union rights and red-tagging allegedly perpetrated by State agents, targeting in particular, certain trade unions and workers’ organizations.
These include reported incidents of acts of violence, extra-judicial killings, harassment, suppression of trade union rights and red-tagging allegedly perpetrated by State agents, targeting in particular, certain trade unions and workers’ organizations.
EO No. 23 also reinforces and protects the freedom of association and right to organize of workers.
Under the EO, the Inter-Agency Committee for the Protection of the Freedom of Association and Right to Organize of Workers will be responsible for the development of a roadmap containing the priority areas of action, tangible deliverables, clear responsibilities and appropriate timeframes, consistent with the recommendations of the high-level tripartite mission.
“The roadmap shall be subject to regular review and should consider the consolidated reports and recommendations from the concerned agencies and inputs from other relevant stakeholders,” the EO stated.
Also included in the functions of the committee are consolidation and evaluation of all comprehensive reports, which contain findings and recommendations by concerned agencies.
The Inter-Agency Committee will be chaired by the Executive Secretary, while the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment will be its vice chairperson.
Among the members of the Committee are the 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.
The Chief Executive on Sunday vowed to prioritize the welfare of Filipino workers under his administration.
“Asahan po ninyo na hindi kailanman magpapabaya ang inyong pamahalaan sa larangan ng paggawa at empleyo, lalo na sa ilalim ng aking pamamalakad,” the President said during his first Labor Day speech at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay.
“Bilang Pangulo, ipinapangako ko na ang proteksiyon para sa mga manggagawang Pilipino ay mananatiling prayoridad ng aking administrasyon,” he added. – gb
