PRESS STATEMENT FOR HLTM 2023

 

                                             Ladies and gentlemen of the press,

We are here today to address a pressing issue that affects the rights and welfare of Filipino workers and citizens. The high-level tripartite mission, comprising of representatives from the government, workers, and employers, has conducted a thorough examination of the current labor and human rights policies of the Philippine government.

It is with great concern that we report that these policies fall short of international stan-dards and fail to adequately protect the rights of workers and citizens. We have identified several areas where significant improvement is needed, including:

The lack of a comprehensive national policy on labor and human rights that ensures the protection of workers' rights and welfare, including the right to form and join trade unions, the right to collective bargaining, and the right to safe and healthy working conditions.

The inadequate enforcement of existing labor laws and regulations, which results in the widespread exploitation of workers and the violation of their rights.

The lack of support for workers and their families in cases of abuse and exploitation, including a lack of access to legal services, counseling, and other forms of support.

The lack of oversight and accountability for employers and government officials who violate labor and human rights laws, resulting in a culture of impunity and disregard for the rights of workers and citizens.

We call on the Philippine government to take immediate action to address these issues and to implement policies and programs that will protect the rights and welfare of Filipino workers and citizens. We also call on employers and government officials to respect the rights of workers and to act with integrity and accountability in all their actions.

We stand ready to work with the government, workers, and employers to develop and implement a comprehensive national policy on labor and human rights that will ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of all Filipinos.

Thank you.