Gov’t to defend labor policies

THE PHILIPPINES will cite improvements in its labor policies as it makes a case for the retention of tax perks granted by the United States, though a rights group behind a complaint is expected to argue that reforms to date are not enough.

The Washington-based International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) and the Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment will be testifying in a March 28 hearing that could determine whether the country remains in the US’ Generalized System of Preferences program (GSP). Summaries of testimonies that will be presented have been uploaded by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on its web site.

The current GSP program, which took effect on Nov. 5, 2011 and will end this July 31, provides duty-free treatment for select goods from beneficiary developing countries. It currently covers 4,975 tariff lines worth $18.5 billion and 129 economies. For the Philippines, the products covered include bananas, sugar cane, edible oils, wood products, cotton fabrics, rattan products, footwear materials, ceramics and baskets, estimated to be worth $1.1 billion.

The ILRF in 2007 alleged that the Philippines had “taken significant steps and engaged policies that deny its workers the right of freedom of association as guaranteed under International Labor Organization Convention 87, which guarantees the right to freedom of association and the right to organize.”

The Labor department summary, however, states that progress has been made in investigating the cases and that the government has begun programs to recognize and uphold human rights as well as set up high-level monitoring bodies.

“Undeniably, there has been progress, albeit in varying degrees, in the reforms initiated to implement the country’s ‘four areas of commitment’ … progress has so far been encouraging but the task … is a continuing process, thus the [government] seeks to put forward a … partnership to sustain the initiatives…”

The commitments comprise technical cooperation, establishing a high-level tripartite monitoring body, amendments to the Labor Code and the resolution of long-standing cases.

The ILRF, for its part, said it would “urge USTR to continue the review of this petition over the next year.”

“While killings of trade unionists have declined since 2009, threats and violence still continue to take place with impunity. According to the International Trade Union Confederation, the government’s National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council still lacks adequate funding and has not made nearly enough progress investigating cases of trade union killings, harassments, and torture,” the organization said.

The ILRF added that “child labor also remains a problem, with a new study … highlighting its prevalence on oil palm plantations…”

Presentations during the USTR meeting will be made by Labor Undersecretary Rebecca C. Chato and ILRF Director of Policy and Legal Programs Brian Campbell. — E. N. J. David, Businessworld
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