President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and upholding international labor standards, citing the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) conduct of over 97,000 labor inspections since the start of his term.
From July 2022 to March 2025, DOLE carried out 97,150 inspections—including technical visits, compliance assessments, and workplace safety audits—to monitor and enforce adherence to labor laws across the country.
Speaking during the 123rd Labor Day celebration in Pasay City on May 1, President Marcos emphasized the government’s continuing efforts to improve the welfare of Filipino workers.
“The government is striving to strengthen protections for all Filipino workers. This is to ensure that every worker enjoys a safe workplace, fair wages, and just treatment,” he added.
Marcos also reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to upholding international labor standards, including the promotion of freedom of association, the right to organize, and the protection of human rights in the workplace.
A key development, he announced, is the country’s intent to ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 155, which establishes a comprehensive framework for occupational safety and health (OSH) policies at both national and enterprise levels.
The convention promotes a proactive approach to workplace safety, encouraging continuous improvements in OSH standards.
President Marcos further highlighted initiatives to enhance labor dispute resolution and strengthen the country’s reputation in the global labor arena.
“We continue to restore the Philippines’ reputation as a beacon of democratic rights and civil liberties for workers in the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.
As a result of these efforts, the Philippines recently secured seats on the ILO’s Governing Body, the Committee on Freedom of Association, and the board of the ILO International Training Centre—underscoring growing international recognition of the country’s labor reforms.
“We have made significant progress in addressing long-standing concerns surrounding the implementation of workers’ rights to organize and to freely associate,” Marcos concluded.
