Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (bottom left), along with representatives from both workers and employers’ sectors, program managers, and DOLE Regional Directors, leads the signing of the commitment to strengthen labor rights protection through the International Labour Organization Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), which takes effect in the Philippines on 05 November 2025. Present also are DOLE Undersecretaries Felipe N. Egargo, Jr., Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr., and Carmela I. Torres; Assistant Secretaries Amuerfina R. Reyes, Lennard Constantine C. Serrano, and Joel M. Gonzales; OIC-Assistant Secretaries Maria Consuelo S. Bacay and Adeline T. De Castro; and Bureau of Working Conditions Director Alvin B. Curada. (Photos by Ali Creo/DOLE-IPS)
Secretary Laguesma is joined by Jose “Sonny” G. Matula of the Federation of Free Workers to represent workers, Commissioner Federico R. Marquez, Jr. of the Employees’ Compensation Commission, Medical Officer Clarito Cairo of the Department of Health, and other social partners of the Department in ensuring decent work for all, which is one of the key objectives of the Marcos, Jr. administration.
The signatories vow to align national policies and industry practices with ILO Convention No. 81, collaborate with DOLE and other institutions to enhance inspection capacity and tools, and support the implementation of the Strategic Compliance Program to promote fairness, safety, and voluntary compliance in workplaces.
The pledge underscores their shared responsibility to uphold fundamental labor rights and translate the summit’s discussions into concrete, time-bound actions and measurable outcomes.
