Philippines Launches New Freedom of Association Training Resource to Bolster Labour Rights

The Philippines has taken a major step toward strengthening fundamental rights at work with the launch of a comprehensive Freedom of Association (FOA) training resource, jointly developed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The initiative, shaped through close consultation with workers’ and employers’ groups, seeks to expand labour education, prevent violations, and promote stronger compliance with international standards.

A Human Rights Imperative

Speaking at the launch, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma underscored the human rights dimension of the right to associate and organize.

“The right to freely associate, to organize, and to engage in collective bargaining is not simply a technical matter. It is a human right—because it gives people a voice, protects their dignity, and calls on all of us to take part in building fair and productive relations at work. It is what allows trust to grow, peace to take hold, and progress to become real in the world of work,” Laguesma said.

Addressing International Recommendations

The FOA training resource reflects the country’s commitment to implement recommendations of the ILO High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) in 2023, which investigated allegations of serious trade union rights violations. The mission urged the Philippines to ensure greater accountability, strengthen institutional capacity, and align national policies with international labour standards, particularly the ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87).

Since then, the Philippines has adopted a Freedom of Association Roadmap as a national blueprint. The creation of the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) under Executive Order 23 has bolstered coordination, while its close collaboration with the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) has ensured that government, workers, and employers maintain continuous dialogue.

Modules for Rights-Based Labour Education

The new training resource is structured into five core modules, designed to provide a holistic view of FOA and its practical applications:

1. Human rights as a pillar of democracy

2. Labour rights and freedom of association in the Philippines

3. Documentation, reporting of violations, and workers’ remedies

4. Freedom of association in the context of business and human rights

5. Cross-cutting issues: gender, climate change, and migration

This approach ensures that the training programme not only addresses technical labour issues but also situates them within broader human rights and social justice contexts.

Support from International Partners

The FOA training initiative received funding support from the Government of Canada under its programme to strengthen freedom of association and combat child labour, and from the European Union’s Trade for Decent Work Project. Their contributions underscore the global community’s recognition of FOA as essential for both human rights and sustainable economic development.

Shared Commitment and Collective Action

At the launch, more than 100 representatives from government agencies, trade unions, employers’ organizations, security forces, academe, civil society, and development partners pledged their support. A pilot run of the FOA training was conducted from 26 to 31 August 2025, creating a pool of trainers who will now roll out the resource nationwide.

Khalid Hassan, ILO Country Office Director for the Philippines, praised the achievement: “Significant progress has been achieved, and we need to continue working together to sustain the efforts. This training resource is more than a tool. It reflects the country’s commitment to address challenges and implement recommendations for stronger social dialogue and freedom of association.”

FOA as a Foundation of Democracy

The launch also highlighted the political and democratic significance of the initiative. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that labour rights are integral to the democratic order:

“Labour rights are human rights. By protecting freedom of association, we strengthen both our democracy and economy. This launch demonstrates the country’s resolve to uphold these values and promote human rights through democratic institutions that remain strong and by dispensing justice without fear or discrimination.”

Looking Ahead

The FOA training resource will be immediately rolled out to government institutions, workers’ and employers’ organizations, security forces, and academic institutions. Its wide distribution is expected to create a network of trainers and advocates capable of embedding FOA principles at both national and local levels.

By ensuring that freedom of association is respected and upheld, the Philippines is not only advancing workers’ rights but also laying the groundwork for inclusive growth, social peace, and stronger democratic institutions.