Top 5 Labor Rights Issues in the Philippines 2024

May 1st is when a lot of labor rights groups get together in public to highlight the problems facing the workers and to demand that the government respond.

The dynamic labor environment of the Philippines has always represented the ongoing struggle between advancing economic growth and defending workers’ rights. As 2024 approaches, many significant issues have surfaced and need immediate attention and action.

Paying Too Little Considering Rising Living Expenses

Even with annual increases in the minimum wage, the gap between the cost of living and the salary Filipino workers get is still somewhat substantial. Nowadays, a lot of individuals struggle to pay for basics since the price of them is rising more quickly than their income.

Contractualisation and Job Security

The Endo Conundrum “endo,” or end-of-contract, is the practice of terminating employees before they can get regular status in order to circumvent security of tenure laws. Workers want more stable work circumstances, and this year they have been calling for the outlawing of contractualization.

Hazards to Immigrant Workers

Situation of OFWs Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) still deal with problems like illegal recruitment, exploitation, and inadequate government support. Stronger protection measures have been demanded and the predicament of OFWs has been highlighted by a number of widely reported cases of abuse.

Guidelines for Safety and Health

The Imperfection in Safety is still ubiquitous, workplace mishaps and health issues are particularly prevalent in high-risk industries. Many times, there are preventable accidents and fatalities because safety regulations are not followed. Advocates are pushing better oversight and stronger compliance.

Bars to Unionization

Working Together Challenge: There is often resistance to efforts at unionization and maybe reprisals. The fundamental labor right of collective bargaining and organization is impeded for many workers by anti-union legislation and actions.

These issues just hint to the ongoing challenges faced by Filipino laborers. To solve problems and ensure that labor rights are a daily reality for everyone, the government, corporate sector, and civil society will need to work together.

According to an ILO report quoting Public Services Labor Independent Confederation president Annie Geron, “We also raise our voices on how multiple crises – economic, health, food and climate – are disproportionately affecting women and worsening gender inequalities.”

As Marcos had said, “The ratification of ILO C190 will fortify the Philippine government’s mandate and policy in promoting and protecting the rights of Filipino workers, locally and overseas, by pushing for a work environment with zero tolerance for violence and harassment.”

But the effects of an international treaty will only become obvious after it has been adopted if it is implemented. Women workers demanded its adoption in March, Women’s Month, in response to persistent issues pertaining to gender in the workplace