THE country’s labor leaders are set to meet with International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General Gilbert Houngbo, who is in the Philippines for a four-day official visit, in Manila today, Monday.
In a statement, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA) President Sonny Matula said representatives of different labor groups are already looking forward to meeting Houngbo to discuss concerns on social justice.
“NAGKAISA fully aligns itself with the Director-General’s call for fostering social justice through constructive engagement and dialogue,” said Matula.
“NAGKAISA extends its warmest welcome to ILO Director-General Houngbo and looks forward to fruitful discussions during his visit,” he added.
Matula said they view the visit of Houngbo as a “significant opportunity” for NAGKAISA to discuss pressing issues related to workers’ rights, freedom of association, and social justice.
“As a united coalition of labor organizations, NAGKAISA firmly believes in the power of solidarity and the collective strength of workers in achieving fair and just labor practices,” he said.
During the meeting with Houngbo, Matula will discuss the workers’ situation in terms of freedom of association, especially in the wake of the visit of the High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) on trade union rights recently sent by the ILO to the Philippines.
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) President Raymond Mendoza will talk about the different workers’ recommendations while Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) Deputy Secretary General Nice Coronacion will discuss the ratification of International Labour Conference (ILC) Convention 19 in the Philippines.
Also sending their representatives to the meeting are the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Federation of Free Workers, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Partido Manggagawa, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation, Unified Filipino Service Workers, and National Federation of Labor.
Houngbo is in the country from June 25 to 28 for his first official visit to the Philippines as ILO head, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the country’s membership with ILO.
