Canada and ILO Launch Project to Strengthen Labor Rights and Combat Child Labour in Philippines

The project aims to reverse the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had previously set back progress in reducing child labour.

On August 6, 2024, in Quezon City, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Canada unveiled a new five-year project aimed at enhancing labor rights and addressing child labour issues in the Philippines. Titled "Strengthening Freedom of Association and Action Against Child Labour in the Philippines," this initiative is designed to bolster enforcement of international labor standards and ensure the protection of workers' rights, including the right to organize and the abolition of child labour.

Funded by the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the project will focus on improving freedom of association and supporting the Philippine Program Against Child Labour (PPACL). This effort is especially crucial given the rise in child labour, with 1.48 million working children reported in 2022, of which over half are engaged in hazardous work or long hours. The project aims to reverse the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had previously set back progress in reducing child labour.

"Canada sets the bar on workers' rights around the world. Supporting our trading partners to strengthen workers' rights is how we make sure those rights are upheld everywhere, so every worker has a workplace that is fair, safe, and equitable," stated Steven MacKinnon, Canada's Minister of Labour and Seniors.

The project will also address gender-related issues within labor rights, focusing on the specific vulnerabilities faced by female workers and children in labor. Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, emphasized the need for a breakthrough in addressing these fundamental rights, stating, "Freedom of association and the effective abolition of child labour are crucial for building a future with social justice for all."

In addition to tackling child labour, the project will address violence and harassment against workers and trade union leaders in the Philippines. Recommendations from the ILO's Committee on the Application of Standards include the creation of a Presidential Commission to address these issues, legislative reforms to ease union formation, and enhanced monitoring mechanisms to protect trade unionists.

Key stakeholders, including Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma of the Department of Labor and Employment, Guy Boileau from the Canadian Embassy, and David Mercier from ESDC, voiced their support during the project launch. Representatives from workers' and employers' organizations also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the importance of social dialogue and collaboration in achieving the project's goals.

The launch event brought together nearly a hundred officials and representatives from various sectors, creating a platform to discuss strategies for implementation and collaboration to advance labor rights and combat child labour in the Philippines.