Party-list vows action vs labor rights violations if elected in Congress
Commission on Elections. Inquirer file photo.
MANILA, Philippines — If it manages to land a seat in the House of Representatives after the 2025 midterm elections, Trabaho party-list has vowed to push for proactive actions against labor rights violations discovered by two international institutions.
In a statement on Thursday, Trabaho party-list spokesperson Mitchell-David Espiritu said that many workers continue to suffer the labor violations pointed out by the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and the Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA) in its report.
According to the report, a wide-range of violations have been committed against Filipino workers nationwide, like illegal dismissals, wage theft, harassment of unionists, and suppression of collective bargaining efforts.
“The number of violations is alarming, but what’s more disturbing is that many workers continue to suffer in silence. We cannot let this continue. Trabaho Partylist is committed to leading efforts in Congress to strengthen labor protections and ensure accountability,” he said.
Alleged violations
According to the group, they plan to work closely with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in reviewing current mechanisms while pushing to improve response times for alleged violations that will be reported by workers.
Furthermore, the group said they will file bills on the following issues:
- Tighter regulations against contractualization
- Improved union recognition procedures
- Stiffer penalties for labor violations
- Worker feedback platform
Espiritu said the labor violations are alarming because it borders on human rights transgressions already.
“This is not just a labor issue, it’s a human rights issue,” Espiritu emphasized.
“We want workers to know that they are not alone. Through active engagement with all sectors, we aim to create a culture where labor rights are respected, not violated,” he added.
The Philippines has been lauded several times for being a home to hardworking people, as several countries across the globe have tapped Filipinos to work for different jobs. However, rights violations have shadowed these achievements, as union leaders have complained about threats and attacks against individuals expressing legitimate dissent.
READ: PH 1st in Asia to ratify ILO accord vs workplace violence, harassment
Misleading ILO?
Last June 2024, FFW president Sonny Matula called out the Philippine government for allegedly misleading the International Labor Organization (ILO) by downplaying the murder of union leader Alex Dolorosa, a trade unionist from BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN).
Matula, part of the delegation of Filipino workers to the ILO’s annual conference, said Dolorosa, 38, was found dead on April 24, 2023, in Bacolod City, with at least 31 wounds, three days after he was reported missing. But Matula said that the Department of Labor and Employment supposedly told the committee that Dolorosa was not on its list of union officers or organizers killed.
READ: Labor group: PH misleading ILO by downplaying union leader’s slay
Last March, Trabaho already called for stronger mechanisms against labor rights violations, after a surge in killings of trade union leaders reported by FFW and DTDA.
They also want the Marcos administration to continue to take decisive action against these alleged attacks.
READ: Trabaho partylist slams killings of trade union leaders
“In response to the alarming trend of violence against labor leaders, Trabaho also reiterated its platform of working closely with both government agencies and private sector partners to improve labor conditions,” the group said.
