MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) 97 strengthening workers rights, including the right to freely form unions and join associations, and exercise such rights without fear.
Signed on Sept. 19, EO 97 adopted the Omnibus Guidelines on the Exercise of Freedom of Association and Civil Liberties, directing government agencies to safeguard workers’ rights to unionize, organize, and engage in peaceful concerted activities in line with the Constitution and international labor standards.
It likewise outlines clear rules for government agencies to protect these rights and ensure that rallies and union activities remain peaceful and lawful.
The circular further reinforces constitutional guarantees protecting workers’ right to self-organization, collective bargaining, and peaceful assembly, addressing concerns raised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) which had called on the Philippine government to act on reported laborers’ concerns.
“The Constitution provides that the right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged,” part of EO 97 read.
It also reiterates the guaranteed rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining, and negotiations, as well as peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law as stated by the Constitution.
