Bill allowing foreigners to join unions passed on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill, allowing foreign individuals or organizations to join trade unions in the Philippines.

"The measure shall promote the solidarity of workers and their organizations, whether inside or outside the country, or both," Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chairman of the sponsoring Committee on Labor and Employment said.

On the other hand, TUCP partylist Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, author of House Bill 5886, 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 bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines.

"The right to self-organization is a universal human and worker's right. The Philippines recognizes the right to self-organization, with the ratification of ILO (International Labor Organization) Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association," Mendoza said.

Under the measure, all aliens, natural or juridical, 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.

Foreign workers in the country with valid permits issued by the DOLE may exercise the right to self-organization and join or assist labor organizations of their own choice for purposes of collective bargaining.

The bill also provides that foreign individuals, organizations or entities may give 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. - By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)