The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) signed a bipartite declaration on a just transition to a low-carbon economy. The declaration was signed in front of about 100 employer and worker representatives.
“ECOP’s vision for a just transition is clear: through policy advocacy, bipartism, and our Sustainability Roadmap, we are paving the way for businesses to succeed in a green economy while ensuring that workers are supported every step of the way,” said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.
“There is no just transition without workers’ rights. We are glad that employers agree with workers on this point. We need a seat at the table,” said FFW president Sonny Matula.
The Philippines is still developing its just transition framework. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently called for a forum on the matter.
“A just transition is not just about meeting environmental goals; it is about balancing those goals with the economic realities businesses face,” Ortiz-Luis said.
“Aside from workers’ rights, the PH just transition work program should include social inclusion, poverty reduction, and coherence in addressing economic, social, and environmental issues,” Matula said.
The Bipartite Declaration on Just Transition, the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, made several commitments, such as forming a national bipartite just transition committee and encouraging the establishment of industry- and enterprise-level bipartite just transition committees. The declaration also called for genuine representation of workers and employers in all just transition structures and mechanisms organized by the government.
The declaration explores areas for possible joint activities based on the Workers for Just Transition 13-Point Labor Agenda and ECOP’s Sustainability Roadmap.
It also engages with government agencies and institutions relating to national policies, laws and programs on just transition, the country’s nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement, greening of the Philippine Development Plan, Labor Employment Plan and National Just Transition Work Program, creation of green jobs, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, the Climate Change Commission, and the country’s sustainability targets under the Sustainable Development Goals and AmbisyonNatin 2040.
“It is not enough to simply advocate for change; we must also help businesses operationalize that change, turning policy into action that benefits both the economy and the environment,” Ortiz-Luis said.
“We plan to put forward our agreement and recommendations to appropriate government agencies, stakeholders, and our own respective employer- and worker-members. We shall pursue relentless dialogue and action for sustainable development and decent work,” Matula said.
The bipartite declaration signing highlights the two-day National Conference on Just Transition jointly organized by the FFW and ECOP with the support of the Danish Trade Union Development Agency and Danish Industry, as part of a partnership agreement involving the workers’ and employers’ organizations from the Philippines and Denmark.
