The Philippines remains one of the the worst countries for workers in 2024. For the second year, the country has been included in the top 10 nations with the worst treatment of workers.
Based on the report of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index 2024, the Philippines scored “5” which is the worst possible score in the index. A rating of 5 means there is “no guarantee of rights” for workers. Despite laws that cover labor rights, “workers have effectively no access to these rights and are therefore exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices,” the report noted.
“The government fostered a climate of fear and persecution, silencing the collective voice of workers. Workers across many sectors still faced significant obstacles when attempting to form trade unions,” the ITUC said.
The ITUC report highlighted the killings of Alex Dolorosa, organizer of the BPO Industry Employee Network (BIEN) on April 24, 2023; and Jude Fernandez, veteran organizer of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) killed on September 29, 2023.
All over the world, the situation of workers continue to deteriorate, both in terms of wages, working conditions and their benefits and rights. In the ITUC report, teh right to expression and free assembly is restricted in 43% (65) of the countries covered by the study which increased from 42% in 2023. T
With the Philippines in the list of top 10 worst countries are Bangladesh, Belarus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Guatemala, Myanmar, Tunisia, and Turkiye. The Philippines is included in the ITUC’s list of 10 worst countries for workers since 2017.
