In a major step toward ensuring stronger implementation of fundamental rights at work and expanding labour education, the Philippines unveils a new comprehensive Freedom of Association training resource.
Developed jointly by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), in close consultation with workers and employers, the new training resource serves as a vital tool to build awareness, prevent violations, and promote freedom of association.
"The right to freely associate, to organize, and to engage in collective bargaining is not simply a technical matter," said DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma. "It is a human right-because it gives people a voice, protects their dignity, and calls on all of us to take part in building fair and productive relations at work. It is what allows trust to grow, peace to take hold, and progress to become real in the world of work."
The new Freedom of Association training resource seeks to equip government agencies, workers, employers, and security forces to better uphold, recognize and implement fundamental labour rights. It builds on the country's commitment to address the findings and recommendations of the ILO's High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) in 2023 on alleged serious violations of trade union rights. Specifically, the application of the ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87).
The mission came up with recommendations that will foster greater coordination for the protection of trade union rights, accountability for labour-related violations, strengthening of institutions and better alignment of policies with international labour standards. Since then, the Philippines has taken measures to address gaps and challenges. The government, workers' and employers' organizations adopted the Freedom of Association roadmap, which serves as the blueprint towards its better application and implementation. The Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) was set up under Executive Order 23 to bolster everyone's right to freely associate and organize. It also regularly connects with the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) to keep the dialogue going.
"Significant progress has been achieved; and we need to continue working together to sustain the efforts. This new training resource is more than a tool. It reflects the country's commitment to address challenges and implement recommendations for stronger social dialogue and freedom of association," said Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.
The training resource comprises five modules covering human rights as a pillar for democracy; labour rights and freedom of association in the Philippines; documentation and reporting of violations and workers' remedies; FOA in the context business and human rights, gender, climate and migration.
Upholding freedom of association guarantees that workers and employers can participate meaningfully and actively, which is vital to strengthen democracy, foster human rights and create safe and inclusive workplaces.
"Labour rights are human rights. By protecting freedom of association, we strengthen both our democracy and economy. This launch demonstrates the country's resolve to uphold these values and promote human rights through democratic institutions that remain strong and by dispensing justice without fear or discrimination," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin highlighted.
The new training resource was funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Strengthening freedom of association and action against child labour in the Philippines and the European Union through the Trade for Decent Work Project.
More than a hundred key officials and representatives from the government, trade unions, workers' and employers' organizations, private sector, security forces, academe, civil society organizations, and development partners joined the launch. It created a platform for stakeholders to affirm their commitment to support and sustain the FOA training programme to promote, respect, and protect freedom of association.
A pool of trainers from government agencies, workers' and employers' organizations, security forces, academe were trained on the pilot run of the FOA training programme on 26-31 August 2025. The new training resource will immediately be rolled out to ensure that it reaches a wider audience. It will create a network to ensure its impact towards stronger freedom of association and labour education at the national and local levels.
Access the Freedom of association training modules in the Philippines.
