Bill to give foreign workers the right to self-organization

A lawmaker has filed a bill extending to foreign workers the right to self-organization while in the Philippines.

Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP), author of House Bill 2543, said the right to self-organization is a universal human and worker’s right and as an International Labour Organization (ILO) member-country, the Philippines recognizes the right to self-organization, with the ratification of ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association.

The bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree 442 as amended, also known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.

Mendoza said the Philippines should adhere to the principle of equal treatment of migrant workers and national workers as regards to trade union membership and collective bargaining.

"The trade union movement draws strength from the solidarity of workers and their organizations, whether inside or outside the country or both," Mendoza said.

Under the measure, all aliens, natural or judicial, as well as foreign organizations, with valid permits issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), may engage directly or indirectly in all forms of trade union activities but only through normal contacts between Philippine labor unions and recognized international labor centers.

The bill provides that foreign individual, organization or entities may give any donations, grants or other forms of assistance, in cash or in kind, directly or indirectly, to any labor organization, group of workers or any auxiliary, such as cooperatives, credit unions and institutions engaged in research, education or communication, in relation to trade union activities. - Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB