1-2 Sept 2025 – Information, interaction, learning, promise of more actions galore in the JILAF/NTUC Phl Blended Seminar on Employment Security and Industrial Relations

The participants heard Messages from NTUC Phl General Secretary RODOLFO CAPOQUIAN and NTUC Phl President MILAGROS OGALINDA.

General Secretary CAPOQUIAN reminded participants about the secure jobs enjoyed by unionized workers, but not by those in 5 months-6 months employment, including contractual in the private sector, JO (job order), CoS (contract of service), in government, government corporations, state colleges and universities (SCUs), and LGUs. He took pride in NTUC’s advocacy for climate change, actions for challenges in just transitions, and urged better attention to the negatives of artificial intelligence (AI) and faster achievement of the 17 SDGs, He cited JILAF seminars as a vehicle for weaving, integrating NTUC’s different programs together. He commended the contributions of the Center’s women – the president, deputy general secretary, assistant treasurer, assistant general secretary, women’s co-chairs, youth leaders, other women leaders in the federations and local unions.

NTUC Phl President OGALINDA highlighted economic woes and the need for action.
NTUC President Milagros Ogalinda cited pressing economic issues—high prices, increased imports, and rising GDP without commensurate real wage growth—stressing that “Slow economic growth [is] dahil kulang sa sharing of the real gains in production and productivity with workers.” The union faces major stresses over wages, prices, and personal, institutional, and national debt, compounded by infrastructure damage from floods affecting livelihoods and safety.
NTUC expressed deep appreciation for the Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF) for its continued support for seminars that enrich NTUC’s labor, women, and youth agendas, including the POSITIVE seminars that help improve engagement in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and discussions on responsible supply chains and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) to hold employers accountable for decent work.
President Ogalinda emphasized that good national laws are “not self-implementing.” She stated, “Inde pwede maghintay sa pagbabago lamang; dapat tayo mismo ang mag-drive ng mga pagbabago.” She noted that both employers and government often have to be pushed to do their job.
She stressed that compliance with labor rights and just transitions has become more complicated. Traditional and emerging instruments—from national laws and ILO standards to corporate codes of conduct—need additional complementary mechanisms to help workers and unions exact compliance from employers and governments. The four transitions shaping the world of work—digital, AI, just, and informal—require adapting to imperious leaders and corporations while simultaneously pushing for reason, fairness, and justice.

JILAF President MR. YASUNOBU AIHARA highlighted the importance of constructive engagement among the tripartite sectors – labor, management, and government. He said JILAF seminars Inspires more contributions towards opportunities for learning, improving skills, and helping the disadvantaged. He expressed aappreciation for trade union efforts moving forward joint objectives.