On International Working Women’s Day, a labor NGO urges Philippine Congress to enact enabling law for the ILO Convention No. 190 following its ratification in December 2023.
The Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) said that the C190 mandates governments to address precarious working conditions and to guarantee that every worker is protected against violence and harassment. In the Philippines, existing statutes remain inadequate to address gender-based violence (GBV) in the workplace. The antiquated Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 penalizes work, education, and training-related sexual harassment. However, the penalty of imprisonment ranges only between one (1) and six (6) months and a fine not exceeding PhP 20,000.
“In 2022 alone, a staggering 11,307 cases of violence against women (VAW) were reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP). Clearly, much has yet to be done. We sincerely hope that the ratification can harmonize policies at the national and local levels and strengthen implementation of already existing laws. The democratic participation of civil society organizations towards meaningful implementation, monitoring, and access to remedies should be promoted,” Rochelle Porras, EILER Executive Director said.
EILER has been actively campaigning for the ratification of ILO C190 since it was adopted in June 2019 by the International Labour Conference of the ILO, and came into force on 25 June 2021. The institution has conducted community discussions and workshops to raise awareness on the right of every worker to safety and dignity in the world of work, free from violence and harassment.
EILER asserts that the effectiveness of C190 lies in its implementation, enabling laws and promoting women workers’ fundamental freedoms.
“Aside from GBV, women face inadequate social protection, discrimination, and low wages. Women still earn less than men, even in the Philippines’ agriculture sector, with male farm workers receiving higher pay than their female counterparts (PSA, 2021). The labor force participation of women in the country is still one of the lowest in Asia,” Porras said.
According to the December 2023 Labor Force Survey, women’s labor force participation rate stands at 56.3 per cent and 77 per cent for men. Unemployment rate for women is also higher at 2.8 per cent versus the 2.5 per cent for men. Female union density remains low; only 3 out of every 100 paid female employees were unionized in 2020.
The best way to recognize women’s valuable contribution to society is to ensure that they have decent jobs with living wages in sustainable industries. Women’s rights to freedom of association, collective bargaining and the right to strike, and safe and healthy workplaces are essential in eliminating violence and harassment,” Porras concluded.
