The Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research expresses concern on the Executive Order No. 97, which establishes criteria to ensure workers’ freedom of association without fear of intimidation, and urges trade unions and civil society organizations to examine the new law.
EILER notes that the EO is the Marcos, Jr. administration’s response to the workers’ recommendations during the ILO High-Level Tripartite Mission in 2023 towards upholding rights of workers, strengthening collective bargaining, and the right to strike.
However, the institution warned about the deeply dangerous provision, which legitimizes the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Security Council (NSC) including NTF-ELCAC’s interference with trade union activity, given their history of red-tagging, harassment, and violent attacks on workers and union leaders.
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