DOLE targets Phl removal among worst countries for labor

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will work for the removal of the Philippines from the list of top 10 countries in the world considered as worst for workers.

“Of course we would always like to target that in the next report, our country will be removed in what is being said as the 10 worst countries for labor,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in English and Filipino at a recent press briefing.

Laguesma added that he considered the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) assessment as a challenge and prove that the condition for workers in the country is not really that bad.

The Philippines is among the top 10 countries to have worst violations of workers’ rights, according to the ITUC report.

The labor chief said he welcomes the report and would look into its basis.

“There are specific topics in the report that I think do not depict what’s happening in the country generally. As I see it, if there is that kind of assessment or report, I want to accept it as a challenge for us to show that that is not the situation in the Philippines,” he said.

He noted that he would like to look at the positive perspective on the negative assessment of the ITUC.

“If they are saying we’re among the worst, the next thing that could happen is for the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) to improve the situation and make the bad to good,” he said.

Laguesma further noted that it is not exactly the labor situation that is considered worst, but the reported extrajudicial killings and other issues not directly related to the DOLE.

In any case, he gave assurance that the DOLE is already looking into the report.

As an International Labor Organization member, the Philippines has the obligation to submit appropriate reports to the international agency, according to the labor secretary.

Laguesma said the DOLE will submit the report showing the real situation in the country and the condition of workers.

He added that at this time, the DOLE is in the process of categorizing and consolidating the concerns of various labor groups.