DOLE downplays report on poor working conditions in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday brushed aside the report of the Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) that the Philippines is one of the worst countries to work in.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she does not agree with the ITUC’s 2014 Global Rights Index report that the Philippines is among the 24 nations where there is “no guarantee of rights” for workers.

ITUC’s Global Rights Index rates countries on a scale of 1 (best) to 5 (worst) depending on their compliance with collective labor rights, and using 97 indicators like the worker’s rights to collective bargaining, to establish or join unions and to strike.

The Philippines was given a score of five, along with 23 other nations like Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia and South Korea.

Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, where a majority of migrant Filipino workers are employed, also scored 5.

But Baldoz maintained that the 2014 Global Rights Index “does not necessarily concern the workers’ rights since we don’t have problems with other workers’ rights. We can say the industry advocacy for workers in the country is very good.”

In terms of quality of work in the Philippines, the country is “doing okay and the same goes with what they are saying about labor rights,” she added.

However, Baldoz conceded that there is a problem on unexplained killings of workers as the ITUC report showed.