PH worst country again for workers: ITUC report

By Pioneer Publication | posted 16/06/24

The Philippines has been included again as one of the 10 worst countries for workers, according to the Global Rights Index 2024 report of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), an organization aiming for labor protection.

The country has been among the worst for 8 consecutive years.

It received a rating of 5, indicating that it does not guarantee workers' rights.

"Workers have effectively no access to these rights and are therefore exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices," the report also added.

The organization also recorded that 22 trade unionists were killed in six countries including the Philippines where workers and union members remain vulnerable to labor-related violations, including "violent attacks, being blacklisted by the governments, abductions, and arbitrary arrests."

It also mentioned the killing of Alex Dolorosa, organizer of the BPO Industry Employee Network and Jade Thaddeus Fernandez of Kilusang Mayo Uno movement. Both are prominent Filipino trade unionists who were slain last year.

The report also added that "the government fostered a climate of fear and persecution" to workers, and they still face "significant obstacles when attempting to form trade unions."

Alongside the Philippines are Bangladesh, Belarus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Guatemala, Myanmar, Tunisia, and Turkiye.

Meanwhile, the ITUC general secretary Luc Triangle said in a statement that workers are "the beating heart of democracy," and their right to be heard is important "to the health and sustainability of democratic systems."