Freedom of association and collective bargaining

Freedom of association and collective bargaining: National action plan, 2017-2022

As a signatory to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention Nos. 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise) and 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining), the Philippines is under obligation to implement the principles embedded therein, both in law and in practice, and is obliged to report regularly on measures taken to progressively implement the Conventions, subject to the review by the ILO supervisory mechanisms.

The Philippine Government, through the DOLE, has established national and regional tripartite monitoring mechanisms tasked to: (a) facilitate innovative feasible solutions to long-standing Committee on Freedom of Association cases; (b) monitor and report progress of labour cases lodged before international bodies; (c) report violations to the concerned authorities and recommend appropriate action; and (d) facilitate gathering of relevant information on complaints submitted to the ILO and evaluate and recommend appropriate action/s. They particularly play an active role in helping ensure the full and swift investigation and resolution of the alleged acts of killings, harassment and abduction of trade union leaders and members through the active involvement of workers’ and employers’ representatives in the monitoring of cases.