Export processing zones in the Philippines – SMS-ing against exploitation

Published by rudy Date posted on November 21, 2005

Whilst unquestionably constituting an important source of employment, these EPZs fuelling international trade and the profits of the world’s leading electronics and clothing brands, are characterised by their dismal working conditions. Conditions that are worsening as a result of the race to the bottom in labour standards following the deregulation of the global market.

Forced overtime, non-payment of social security contributions, poor working conditions, sexual harassment and union bashing …
This latest Trade Union World Briefing, supported by first hand accounts and new figures, reports on the sordid realities of the exploitation suffered by the workers, mostly women, in the EPZs of the Philippines.

Faced with the employers’ systematic breaches of both international standards and national labour laws, the TUCP, is fighting to develop new organising strategies. Targeting young workers, it is playing the creativity card to counter employer hostility, for example by using text messages as a campaign tool.

Download this article in PDF format

July 2025

Nutrition Month
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Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
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to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
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July


3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 Ju
ly – International Plastic Bag Free Day
 
5 July –
World Youth Skills Day 
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day 
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International Justice
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Monthly Observances:

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Nutrition Month
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Weekly Observances:

Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
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Technology Week
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National Culture Consciousness Week
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Philippines Business Week
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Daily Observances:

First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
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