INSTEAD of objecting to the inclusion of the Philippines in the list of 10 worst countries for workers, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma views it as challenge, saying he wants to prove the inclusion is wrong.
In a recent press briefing, Laguesma said he does not condemn the results of the 2022 Global Rights Index of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) adding it has motivated him to prove it is wrong.
“If there is such an assessment or report, I want to accept it as a challenge to show that it is not the real situation in the Philippines,” said Laguesma.
“Yes, it is saddening but I want to look at it positively. If we are among the worst, the next thing that could happen is to improve from being among them,” he added.
The 2022 ITUC Global Rights Index report showed the Philippines is among the 10 worst countries for workers, in the company of Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Eswatini, Guatemala, Myanmar, and Turkey.
The ITUC Global Rights Index ranks 148 countries on the degree of their respect for workers’ rights.
Laguesma said he will begin disproving the report’s findings by hearing the concerns of all labor groups in the country.
