Philippines signs agreement with US for labor rights

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States (US) National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to educate members of the Filipino-American community about labor rights.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr. and NLRB General Counsel Richard Griffin signed the agreement which seeks to inform and guide Filipino workers, their employers and Filipino business owners in the US regarding their rights and responsibilities as provided by the National Labor Relations Act.

"We welcome the opportunity of entering into worker-related bilateral agreements such as this MOU, as a step forward in the fulfillment of our mandate to protect worker right," Cuisia said.

Under the agreement, the NLRB and its regional offices, together with the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., Philippine Consulates in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu will provide outreach, education and training to develop best labor practices.

"This initiative is an affirmation of the US government's advocacy for human rights and a demonstration of their appreciation for the Filipinos' contribution to the US economy," the Ambassador said.

The NLRB enforces the National Labor Relations Act which ensures that employers and employees are protected from unfair labor practices.

This is the third agreement that the Philippines signed with US labor agencies, following agreements with the Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor.