UMVA has learned that the Philippines remains one of the world's most restrictive environments for workers, according to a recent report that placed the country on a "watchlist" due to an increase in recorded rights violations.
The country's labor landscape is marred by a "Rating 5," the second-worst possible category, signifying that there is effectively no guarantee of workers' rights. This rating has been unchanged since the index's inception, with the country only moving out of the list of the ten worst countries this year.
A Belgium-based confederation noted that despite certain positive changes made in 2025, measurable improvements have yet to be seen by unions. The report warned that without demonstrable improvement, the Philippines' sustained attack on workers risks a further downgrade in the country's rating.
The 13th edition of the annual survey revealed a challenging landscape for Filipino trade unionists, characterized by the institutionalization of red-tagging, where authorities label union members as subversive communists to justify harassment and intimidation. This practice has created a culture of fear and impunity, with trade union killings remaining unresolved.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed an executive order in 2025 intended to limit the role of the police and military in labor disputes, but independent unions have yet to report any measurable improvements in ground-level conditions. Instead, new regressive administrative hurdles have been introduced, making it more difficult for unions to gain recognition.
A coalition of business and labor groups has urged the President to bolster protections for freedom of association and labor rights, citing the need for stronger accountability and the effective implementation of measures protecting workers. They argue that the country's removal from the top ten list should not be mistaken for genuine reform.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the government's stated "zero strike" target directly undermines the fundamental right to strike, adding to the friction between the state and labor advocates. This policy has been criticized for limiting workers' ability to negotiate better working conditions.
The Philippines' labor rights issues are part of a broader regional trend in Asia-Pacific, where the average rating held steady at 4.08, and roughly nine out of ten countries violated the right to establish or join a union. The country's reliance on repressive tactics and the criminalization of industrial action place its democratic institutions under sustained pressure.
