Manila, Philippines (ILO news) The ILO Office stepped up its engagement with Philippine business leaders through two focused discussions on labour standards, trade and responsible business conduct, underscoring the growing link between decent work and market access.
In partnership with the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, the ILO Office convened senior managers and compliance leaders from export-oriented enterprises to examine how fundamental principles and rights at work are increasingly shaping trade agreements, buyer requirements and investment decisions.
Participants discussed the Philippine policy context, including the forthcoming National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, announced in August 2025 and embedded in the National Human Rights Strategy for 2024-2028. Drawing on a regional review of similar action plans across Asia and the Pacific, the ILO Office highlighted the importance of early and structured private-sector engagement to ensure regulatory predictability and smoother implementation of future compliance requirements.
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Exporters also reviewed developments related to monitoring under the European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, evolving labour provisions in trade agreements, and the expanding use of import controls linked to forced labour. Practical sessions explored trade and supply chain linkages and reinforced key concepts related to fundamental principles and rights at work.
The workshop featured ECOP's Digital Self-Assessment Checklist, version 3.0, a due diligence tool aligned with environmental, social and governance standards (ESG). Enterprises were also introduced to the Confederation's online environmental, social and governance pulse check platform, designed to help firms assess and strengthen compliance systems.
In a separate briefing, the ILO Office engaged leading business organizations - including ECOP, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Makati Business Club, Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals, and the Philippine Business Council of Women, alongside a former President of the Philippine Stock Exchange- on the development of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Through these engagements, the ILO Office reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Philippine enterprises in navigating the evolving relationship between labour standards and global trade, while strengthening competitiveness and responsible business practices.
