Bangkok, Thailand

ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN ON LABOR LAW REFORMS THE PHILIPPINES BERNARDA G. HERRAS GEMMA B. RANGABAN

Background & Justification In 1997 the trade union groups in the Philippines initiated the campaign to improve labor laws and regulations based on the core labor standards as recognized in the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Specifically, to amend the Philippine Labor Law to remove provisions that seriously impede the effective exercise of workers’ rights to self organization and collective bargaining.

cont’n. Incorporating in local level TU education activities the ideas and concepts on Labor Law Reforms is at most importance in the Philippines. Trade Union initiatives on this concern is vital, the participation in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national policies, laws and programs that affect workers and their families are necessary.

cont’n. There is a need for Labor Law Reforms because there are problems encountered by the workers, such as the following : - Labor Only Contracting or LOC - Fixed period of employment - Mandatory 60 days termination notice - Labor Code for the Public sector, etc.. - No documentary requirements for union registration

Total Number of Non-Regular Workers in Non-Agricultural Establishments with 20 or more workers by category Philippines: 2004 and 2008 (in thousand except percent) Category Percent Change (%) Total Non-Regular Workers % Contractual/Project –Based Workers Probationary Workers Casual Workers Seasonal Workers Apprentices/Learners

TARGET GROUP Workers - Union and non-union members (under organizing) - TU members - Women / Men - Youth - Contractual / fixed employment

PARTNERS INVOLVED TU Center/Federation National/Local Union Leaders/Officers IR’s & Organizers Education Directors/Officers Women Committee Youth Committee

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE - Amendment of Philippine Labor Code - To have reached and informed atleast 60% of workers (union members and non-union members) IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE

ACTIVITIES Conduct seminars and forum about the Labor Law Reforms, such as the following: - Union orientation / Trade Unionism seminar - Union revitalization seminar - Gender and Leadership - CBA negotiations skills, etc., and - Labor Law Reforms Produce/distribute handouts/leaflets - Containing the 11 point agenda for Labor Law Reforms - House Bills filed by the Partylist

THE END…. SALAMAT PO! – PHILS. NAMASTE! - INDIA SELAMAT JALAN!- BAHASA MALAYSIA / INDONESIA NANDRI! – INDIA, TAMAL GOMABSUBNIDA!- KOREA ARIGATO GOJAIMAS! - JAPANESE DHANEY WAD! -NEPAL SHUKREYA! –PAKISTAN NANDRI TUTI –SRI LANKA GAM,MUN - VIETNAM KAP PUN KAP - THAILAND THANK YOU! -