Philippine Institute for Development Studies

Surian sa mga Pag-aaral Pangkaunlaran ng Pilipinas

Review of Philippine Migration Laws

and Regulations:
Gains, Gaps, Prospects
Julyn S. Ambito and Melissa Suzette L. Banzon
DISCUSSION PAPER SERIES NO. 2011-37

The PIDS Discussion Paper Series

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December 2011

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 Review of Philippine migration laws and regulations
Gains, Gaps, Prospects
Julyn S. Ambito and Melissa Suzette L. Banzon

June 2011

Abstract
The Philippines has often been cited as the global model in managing international
labor migration. Despite the complexity of our management infrastructure, however,
some gaps still remain. This paper reviews the Philippine legal and administrative
framework governing the recruitment, documentation and deployment of Filipino
workers abroad. The study finds that although the provisions of the landmark
legislation RA 8042, as amended by RA 9422 and 10022, are laudable, some of the key
provisions are not absolute. Furthermore, the study finds the need to further strengthen
policy implementation, as well as the implementing capacity of government agencies.

Keywords: International labor migration, government policy and regulation

1
 Review of Philippine migration laws and regulations
Gains, Gaps, Prospects1
Julyn S. Ambito and Melissa Suzette L. Banzon2

June 2011

RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT OF OVERSEAS WORKERS

The Philippines has an employment-driven emigration policy that emphasizes

temporary labour migration, worker protection and maximizing the development
impact of remittances. The Government identifies labour market niches abroad and
arranges an orderly supply of labour through supervised recruitment by foreign
employers, recruitment agencies and foreign governments based on bilateral
agreements.3

Rule II of the POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and
Employment of Land-based Overseas Workers (POEA Rules) defines recruitment and
placement as “any act of canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring
or procuring workers and includes referrals, contract services, promising or advertising
for employment abroad, whether for profit or not; provided that any person or entity
which, in any manner, offers or promises for a fee employment to two or more persons
shall be deemed engaged in recruitment and placement.” Furthermore, the recruitment
1
Background paper to the “Managing International Labor Migration: The Philippine Experience”. This paper has
benefitted from funding support from the International Development Research Centre and Philippine Institute for
Development Studies project “Different Streams, Different Needs and Impacts: Managing International Labor
Migration in ASEAN”.
2
Unit Coordinator and Associate Lawyer, respectively, Migrants’ Defense Program, Initiatives for Dialogue and
Empowerment through Alternative Legal Service (IDEALS, Inc.),

3
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/migpractice/migmain.showPractice?plang=en&p_practice_id=55

2
of Filipino workers is done through a systematic recruitment network where foreign
principals must course their manpower requirements through POEA-licensed private
employment and manning agencies.4 As part of their regulatory functions, the POEA
Rules provide that only those who possess qualifications enumerated under Rule I, Part
II shall be permitted to engage in the recruitment and placement of Filipino workers.

Private recruitment agencies are either land-based or manning agencies. Land-

based recruitment agencies can be natural or juridical persons licensed by the POEA to
recruit workers for all land-based jobs for and in behalf of its foreign principal.
Manning agencies are either natural or juridical persons licensed by the POEA to recruit
seafarers to man or board vessels plying international sea lanes and other related
maritime activities.5 It is the POEA that regulates these recruitment agencies through a
licensing system as provided for under Part II, Rule I of the POEA Rules.

A. Modes of Recruitment

The recruitment process may be done through different modes.

(1) Agency-hire. - Licensed recruitment agencies may advertise vacancies in any

media form, conduct preliminary screening and interviews of applicants, or create a
manpower pool.

A prospective employer interested to hire Filipino workers may choose from the
official list of licensed private employment agencies available at the nearest Philippine
embassy or consulate in their country, or from the POEA website. Once the employer
has identified a Philippine agent that will source his/her manpower requirement,
he/she must submit the recruitment documents to the nearest Philippine Overseas

4
http://www.poea.gov.ph/about/hiring.htm
5
http://www.poea.gov.ph/about/hiring.htm
3
Labor Office (POLO) at the Philippine embassy or consulate for verification. This is to
ascertain the existence of the company or project and the need for Filipino manpower.

Foreign principals intending to hire land-based workers must submit a Special

Power of Attorney, a Service/Recruitment Agreement and a Master Employment
Contract with the minimum contract provisions and a Manpower Request. In the
absence of POLO at the workplace, the foreign employer shall engage a local agent who
then facilitates the POEA accreditation process of the foreign principal and
subsequently submits the documents hereinafter enumerated or equivalent documents.
For manning principals, they must submit a Manning Agreement containing, among
others, the responsibilities of both principal and manning agency with respect to the
employment of seafarers; Special Power of Attorney; list of ships and their particulars
including IMO number; crew complement and valid business license registration
certificate, or equivalent document, or proof of existence of business validated or
certified by the issuing authority in the host country.6

(2) Government Placement Branch (GPB) - A foreign government entity or a

government- owned or controlled company may opt to course its hiring through the
POEA’s Government Placement Branch (GPB). The GPB scheme is a government-to-
government type of overseas recruitment where government agencies of other countries
hire foreign workers and deployment is handled by the POEA.7 Saudi Arabia, for one,
has a Saudi Recruitment Office located in Makati City that handles the deployment of
foreign medical workers to their government hospitals and other institutions.8

6
http://www.poea.gov.ph/about/hiring.htm

7
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item-1392/Healthcare-Workers-In-Demand-in-Saudi-Arabia--Application-
Proceduresof-Saudi-Recruitment-Office.html

8
Ibid.

4
 (3) Name Hires. - Some workers are regarded as name hires or those who are able
to secure an overseas employment opportunity with an employer without the assistance
or participation of any agency.

B. Employment Standards set by the POEA

The State’s policy of extending protection and support to our overseas workers
becomes even more manifest with the State’s authorization for POEA to formulate
employment standards in accordance with the welfare objectives of the overseas
employment program.9 The law requires that the POEA should approve and verify an
overseas employment contract to insure that the employee shall not thereby be placed
in a disadvantageous position and that the same are within the minimum standards of
the terms and conditions of such employment contract set by the POEA.10

A standard overseas employment contract11 must reflect the names and details
of the contracting parties (foreign employer, local agent and the OFW) who voluntarily
bind themselves to terms and conditions of employment, which shall include, among
others, the site/workplace, contract duration, employee’s position, monthly salary,
regular working hours and overtime pay, leave credits, insurance, repatriation and
termination procedures, settlement of disputes and applicable law on the contract.

Parties to overseas employment contracts are allowed to stipulate other terms

and conditions and other benefits not provided under these minimum requirements;
provided the whole employment package should be more beneficial to the worker than

9
Amelia J. Delos Santos vs. Jebsen Maritime Inc., G.R. No. 154185, November 22, 2005.
10
Seagull Maritime Corp., et al. v. Balatongan, et al., 170 SCRA 813 (1987).
11
http://www.poea.gov.ph/ofw/sec_various_new.pdf

5
the minimum; provided that the same shall not be contrary to law, public policy and
morals, and provided further, the Philippine agencies shall make foreign employers
aware of the standards of employment adopted by the POEA.12

Although the standard employment contract provisions look good on paper,

the reality is that they are not implemented to the letter. Many employers require OFWs
to sign another contract with less benefits or a lower salary when they reach the host
country. Many OFWs are forced to sign these contracts because they are already in the
host country and they have invested so much in placement and other fees just to get
employment abroad. Many OFWs will rather work for less pay compared to the rate
stated in the contract than be forced to return to the Philippines without earning at least
the amount paid for placement and other fees.

The most commonly violated provision in the standard employment contract is

the provision on payment of wages. Many employers not only refuse to pay the wage
agreed upon but worse, refuse to pay wages for several months. John Leonard
Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, says that five (5) out of eight (8)
cases reported daily by his group are about contract substitution, specifically non-
payment of the stipulated wage in the POEA-approved contract.13 Many employers also
do not provide benefits such as paid days-off and medical insurance to OFWs although
these benefits are stated in the contract.

Officials at the Philippine consulates in the host countries admit that it is

difficult to monitor the implementation of the standard employment contract due to

12
§3, Id.
13
Carcamo, Dennis, “Group Urges DOLE to Probe Rampant Contract Substitution,” The Philippine Star. Available
online: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=615820&publicationSubCategoryId=200, accessed on
November 23, 2010.

6
lack of resources and manpower. Many OFWs report that when they seek the help of
the POLO in the host country regarding the implementation of their contracts, officials
usually tell them to just go back to the Philippines and file money claims before the
NLRC. Many OFWs claim that POLO officers in the host country are not much of
assistance in helping them file cases for contractual violations in the host country.

One case of contract substitution is that of nineteen (19) OFWs who were
deployed as construction workers in Tripoli, Libya. Two recruitment agencies, namely
Aqua-Gem International Manpower, Incorporated and Sharikat Al-Saedi International
Manpower, Incorporated, both located in Ermita, Manila, recruited the distressed
OFWs. They departed from Manila on December 2008 to work for Cifex World
Construction Firm at Dhat El Imad, Tripoli until January 2008.14

The victims signed a contract with their respective agencies during application.
A few hours before their departure, however, they were told to sign another contract.
The wages contained in the second contract, verified by the POEA and signed by Labor
Attache Nasser Mustafa, was US$100 lower than the first contract. The poor OFWs, left
with no other choice, were forced to sign the contract since they were already at the
airport.15

The provisions in both contracts, however, were violated in Libya. Payment of

the OFWs’ salaries was delayed and they were made to work for more than eight (8)

14
Melencio, Gloria, E., “Labor Officer in Libya Accused of OFW Contract Substitution,” The Saudi Gazette. Available
online: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009090148553, accessed
on November 23, 2010.
15
Ibid.

7
hours a day and seven (7) days a week without overtime pay, contrary to the provisions
in their contracts.16

Unfortunately, when the OFWs complained to the POLO in Tripoli, Mustafa

himself told the OFWs that they had to sign another contract to suit the practices of the
company. Most of the OFWs refused to do so, thus they were left with no recourse but
to file appropriate cases against their recruiter and employer when they were
repatriated back to the Philippines.17

Another case of contract substitution is that of twenty (20) OFWs recruited to

work in Qatar. Larry Canlas of Candaba, Pampanga (recruited by H.M.O. International
Human Resources in December 2008) and Nelson Ebreo from Mauban, Quezon
(recruited by SML Human Resources Inc. in November 2008) reported that they were
promised by their recruiters a monthly salary of 1,500 Qatar Riyals (QR) and US$430,
respectively, for work as tile setters at the Jassim Decoration and Services Company in
Qatar. Upon reaching Qatar, however, they were paid for their work not as employees,
but on a per-production basis, through which they received only 9 QR per square meter
of finished jobs, averaging, based on human work capacity, at only about 800 QR a
month. Their employer even deducted their food and other living expenses from the
said downgraded salary. In effect, they were not able to earn anything to send to their
families back in the Philippines.18

The OFWs decided to stop working and went to the Philippine Embassy and
the POLO in Qatar to seek assistance. They were then threatened by Jassim with

16
Id.
17
Id.
18
“Jinggoy Probes Case of OFWs Victimized under Contract Substitution in Qatar, Libya.” Available online:
http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2009/0505_estradaj1.asp, accessed on November 23, 2010.

8
incarceration for refusing to work. They were also forced to execute waivers stipulating
that they would not file a case against Jassim, in order for them to be allowed to return
to the Philippines, but at their own expense. They were told that if they refused to
execute the waiver, their passports would not be returned to them, and exit clearance
and other documentary requisites would not be issued. The OFWs executed the
waivers, which were sealed by the POLO. The waivers led to their exclusion from the
OWWA and POEA’s list of workers requesting assistance for repatriation. The OFWs
were able to go home only through financial solicitation from and generosity extended
by the Filipino community in Qatar.19

POLO officers, being on the front line in the host countries, should be more
effective in informing OFWs of the legal mechanisms through which they can recover
unpaid wages and other benefits and assist OFWs in availing of these mechanisms in
the host country. POLO officers should not confine OFWs to the option of returning to
the Philippines and filing money claims before the NLRC when legal mechanisms for
claiming unpaid wages and other benefits are available to them in the host country. In
Hongkong, for example, their Labour Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear cases involving
breach of employment contract which includes claim for unpaid wages.20 The website21
of the Judiciary of Hongkong provides the procedure on how to file money claims
against employers. It provides for a booking system in making an appointment for
filing of claim.

This information in host countries like Hongkong should be made handy to

OFWs so as to ensure effective recovery of claims against principal employers.

19
Ibid.
20 Section 7, Labour Tribunal Ordinance and the Schedule to the Ordinance
21 Judiciary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.,

http://www.judiciary.gov.hk/en/crt_services/pphlt/html/labour.htm
9
C. The Joint and Several Liability (JSL) Rule

For claims arising out of an employer-employee relationship or by virtue of any

law or contract involving Filipino workers for overseas deployment including claims
for actual, moral, exemplary and other forms of damages, R.A. 10022 states that the
liability of the principal/employer and the recruitment or placement agency for any
and all claims shall be joint and several. This liability shall be incorporated in the
contract for overseas employment and shall be a condition precedent for its approval.
Any stipulation contrary to this shall be considered void.22

The performance bond to be filed by the recruitment/placement agency, as

provided by law, shall be answerable for all money claims or damages that may be
awarded to the workers. If the recruitment/placement agency is a juridical being, the
corporate officers and directors and partners as the case may be, shall themselves be
jointly and solidarily liable with the corporation or partnership for the aforesaid claims
and damages. Such liabilities shall continue during the entire period or duration of the
employment contract and shall not be affected by any substitution, amendment or
modification made locally or in a foreign country of the said contract.23

In a case decided by the Supreme Court24, it was held that both the recruitment
agency and the foreign employers are liable jointly and solidarily for the illegal
dismissal of their employee. In providing for the joint and solidary liability of private
recruitment agencies with their foreign principals, Republic 8042 precisely affords the
OFWs with recourse and assures them of immediate and sufficient payment of what is
due them.

22
Section 7, R.A. 10022
23
Ibid.
24
ATCI Corporation vs. Echin, G.R. No. 178551, October 11, 2010
10
 The imposition of joint and solidary liability is in line with the policy of the state
to protect and alleviate the plight of the working class.25 Verily, to allow the recruitment
agency to simply wait for the judicial determination of the foreign principal’s liability
before petitioner can be held liable renders the law on joint and solidary liability inutile.

D. Did R.A. 10022 re-enact an unconstitutional provision?

Confusion arises in cases of termination of overseas employment without just,

valid or authorized cause as defined by law or contract, or any unauthorized
deductions from the migrant worker's salary. R.A. 10022 provides that the worker shall
be entitled to the full reimbursement of his placement fee and the deductions made
with interest at twelve percent (12%) per annum, plus his salaries for the unexpired
portion of his employment contract or for three (3) months for every year of the
unexpired term, whichever is less.26 R.A. 8042 also mandates the same.27

The Supreme Court, in the case of Antonio M. Serrano v. Gallant Maritime Services,
Inc., et al., March 24, 2008, declared unconstitutional the subject clause “or for three (3)
months for every year of the unexpired term, whichever is less” in the fifth paragraph
of Section 10 of R.A. 8042. The court concluded that the subject clause contained a
suspect classification in that, in the computation of the monetary benefits of employees
who are illegally discharged, it imposes a three (3)-month cap on the claim of OFWs
with an unexpired portion of one (1) year or more in their contracts, but none on the
claims of other OFWs or local workers with fixed-term employment. The subject clause
singles out one classification of OFWs and burdens it with a peculiar disadvantage. It

25
Datuman v. First Cosmopolitan Manpower And Promotion Services, Inc., G.R. No. 156029, November 14, 2008,
571 SCRA 41, 42.
26
Id.
27
Section 10, Republic Act 8042.

11
does not state or imply any definitive governmental purpose and it is for this precise
reason that the clause violates not just the workers’ right to equal protection but also
their right to substantial due process.

Congress, however, re-enacted the clause “or for three (3) months for every year
of the unexpired term, whichever is less” in Section 7 of R.A. 10022. Congress’ re-
enactment notwithstanding, the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down the subject
clause must prevail, for it is the final arbiter on the constitutionality of the law to which
Congress must yield.

E. Illegal Recruitment
One of the reprehensible felonies existent in the Philippines today is illegal
recruitment. R.A.10022 amending R.A.8042 defines illegal recruitment as “any act of
canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring, or procuring workers
and includes referring, contract services, promising or advertising for employment
abroad, whether for profit or not, when undertaken by a non-licensee or non-holder of
authority contemplated under Article 13(f) of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended,
otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines: Provided, That any such non-
licensee or non-holder who, in any manner, offers or promises for a fee employment
abroad to two or more persons shall be deemed so engaged.” The law includes the
commission of prohibited acts by any person, whether a non-licensee, non-holder,
licensee or holder of authority.

Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group

of three (3) or more persons conspiring or confederating with one another. It is deemed
committed in large scale if committed against three (3) or more persons individually or
as a group. The persons criminally liable for illegal recruitment are the principals,
accomplices and accessories. In case of juridical persons, the officers having ownership,

12
control, management or direction of their business who are responsible for the
commission of the offense and the responsible employees/agents thereof shall be liable.

General Observation

The Philippines has an elaborate system of licensing of private recruitment

agencies to ensure that OFWs are deployed only to jobs that do not subject them to
abuse and exploitation. Agencies that deploy OFWs without a license issued by the
POEA or those that have a license but commit prohibited acts commit the crime of
illegal recruitment and are imposed harsh penalties such as imprisonment and/or a
fine.

Despite these regulations, there are still many cases of illegal recruitment and
trafficking reported by OFWs. This can be attributed to the fact that although the law is
in place to protect OFWs, implementation of the law leaves much to be desired. For
instance, many illegal recruiters, despite being issued multiple warrants of arrest,
manage to evade arrest and continue to recruit unknowing OFWs desperate to work
overseas. The Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR), an inter-agency body
tasked to coordinate the efforts of different government agencies in the arrest and
prosecution of illegal recruiters, currently has 20,000 unserved warrants for over two
hundred large-scale illegal recruiters in the country. While the TFAIR is unable to arrest
these large-scale illegal recruiters, they continue to swindle many OFWs of excessive
placement fees and deploy OFWs to hazardous jobs overseas.

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (R.A. 9208), which was enacted in 2003, is
also poorly implemented. Despite the thousands of OFWs, mainly women, who are
trafficked each year, there have only been thirteen (13) convictions under the law. A

13
legal system riddled with corruption and influence-peddling enables many traffickers
to evade arrest and prosecution through extrajudicial means.

If the government is to be serious in its efforts to protect OFWs, it should ensure

strict implementation of R.A. 10022 and 9208 to arrest all illegal recruiters and
traffickers and bring all victims to justice. Illegal recruitment and trafficking cases
pending in court should move at a speedy pace and integrity must be restored in
government proceedings to make sure that those who violate the law are penalized
regardless of their status in society.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In global migration, particularly labor migration, our OFWs are

literally transported to the legal system of the receiving country. This renders the
Philippines’ protection and welfare policies not only inadequate but in most
cases, inapplicable. As quoted in early part of this paper, Philippines is
considered most advanced in Asia, in terms of managing migration. However, at
the local level, the Philippines as a developing and labor-sending country
remains trapped in confusion with regard to policy formulation and
implementation. There is an imperative need to enhance our sense and
assessment on policy. For instance, we have no concrete policies on OFWs’
economic and development role. Our legal system finds application only within
the Philippines’ territorial boundaries, thus, its force and effect finds no
application in foreign lands where 10% of our population is located.
The following are some recommendations to the Philippine
Government, as regards. The proposed recommendations seek improvements on
the existing laws and introduction of new policies that could help better the lot of
our OFWs and their families.

14
 I. RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT OF WORKERS

Snail-paced Prosecution of IR cases and Trafficking.

Improvement on the laws: Since we already have existing laws (RA 8042 as
amended by RA 10022, RA 9208 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and EO on TFAIR),
an improvement on the application/implementation of these laws in so far as
implementation is concerned. As mentioned, there is dismal prosecution/conviction
of Illegal Recruiters or Traffickers due to unserved warrants of arrests. To aid the
speedy prosecution of Illegal Recruitment cases, TFAIR should post and publish the
photographs with vital information of the top Illegal Recruiters. An Executive Order
maybe passed to carry out this amendment.

New Policy: Illegal recruiters are not always of Philippine Citizenship. They
could be foreign nationals. And we are yet to see foreigner-illegal recruiter convicted
in our courts of justice. Hence, there is a proposal to amend Section 2 of the Revised
Penal Code (RPC) penalizing foreigners on migration/recruitment-related acts
committed within the Philippine territory28.

And in order to aid the speedy resolution and disposition of overseas-related

cases, particularly Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking, there is a need to designate
Special Courts to try and prosecute these types of cases.

Also, since the Philippines is still at Tier 2 (US State Department Watch list re:
Situation Report on cases of Trafficking in the Country) , the Government should

28
Introduced by (Former) Dean Merlin Magallona (UP College of Laws) . Lecture, Revisiting Constitutional
Guarantees. February 5, 2010)

15
endeavor to forge and enforce bilateral and or multi-lateral agreements among
countries to come up with mechanisms to prevent trafficking and fully fully
respond to the problems of international trafficking.

Inaction of key Government Agencies/ Officials on Complaints lodged by

OFWs/their Families (Local and Overseas).

There is a need to conduct regular performance audit of government

agencies catering on overseas employment. This could be done by the Department of
Foreign Affairs, in consultation with Non-Government Organizations and migrant
groups.

II. DOCUMENTATION OF WORKERS

Collection of Excessive Placement fee by unscrupulous recruiters/recruitment
agencies.

New Policy: Since one of the most common problems encountered by OFWs
is debt bondage brought about by loans at usurious interest rates to pay for
excessive placement fees, it will certainly benefit many OFWs if the government
implements a “no placement fee” policy. Many labor-receiving countries, such as the
United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel and the Netherlands impose a “no
placement fee” policy on migrant workers. This is to prevent a situation where
migrant workers find themselves unable to earn anything to send to their families
back home during their first few months of work, due to substantial deductions
from their wages to pay for expenses incurred in placement and other fees.

Many OFWs are also illegally dismissed from employment long before they
have finished their contracts. They are therefore unable to save enough money to

16
pay for loans incurred for placement and other fees upon repatriation to the
Philippines. After selling their properties and using their savings to pay for
placement fees, many OFWs find themselves with no money or property when they
are illegally dismissed shortly after deployment. A “no placement fee” policy will
prevent this situation where OFWs lose all their properties just to pay for placement
fees and find themselves with no savings upon termination from employment.

Abolition of placement fee will also unclog the dockets of both administrative
and judicial bodies of complaints arising from collection of excessive fees. Courts
and quasi-judicial bodies can then focus on other offenses such as human trafficking
and decide cases with dispatch.

Conduct of PDOS

Improvement on Existing Law/Policy: The PDOS is a good way to orient OFWs

on the culture of the host country and give them tips on how to contact the
Philippine consulate and protect themselves from abuse. The problem, however, is
that the PDOS is used by many companies as a venue to market their products and
services catering to OFWs and too much time is taken up by these advertisements.
The POEA should regulate the PDOS to ensure that it is focused mainly on giving
OFWs helpful advice on how to adapt to the host country. Product advertisements
should not be incorporated into the PDOS but should be confined to the distribution
of flyers informing OFWs about the products and services.

Another problem is that the PDOS is conducted right before the OFWs’
scheduled date of departure. This is a time when OFWs are too preoccupied with
last minute arrangements for their travel and other concerns. OFWs are therefore
unable to focus on matters taken up during the PDOS and remember the useful tips

17
given to them. Government/accredited institutions should conduct the PDOS at
least three (3) days before the OFWs’ scheduled date of departure to give them
ample time to digest the material and prepare themselves psychologically for the
trip.

III. DEPLOYMENT OF WORKERS

Rationale on the Implementation of Selective Deployment. Imposing

deployment ban is not an end in itself.

Improvement on Law/Policy: As stated Deployment Ban is not an effective tool

to curtail the travel of person desirous to work abroad. The Philippine Government
has to come up with a more logical and sustainable mechanisms in imposing
deployment ban to different host countries. It has to find way to strike the balance
between the workers’ protection and the right to travel of its citizens. Mere
imposition of ban to travel to certain states is not enough. The people should be
well-informed of the reasons why it is unsafe to go to the said destinations and they
should be given set of options. Hence, the POEA in consultation with DFA, could
come up and provide the public with the Positive and Negative List (countries
where migration is safe or unsafe).

Implementability and Efficacy of binding agreements with the receiving country.

Improvement on Law/Policy: The existing migration legal system provides for

several guarantees (as discussed in C. C.1-C.3, Part III) prior to deployment. It is
recommended that Forging of Bilateral Labor Agreements with the receiving
country be made a pre-requisite. The BLA should specify the rights and obligations

18
of the States including grievance procedure, rules on settling claims and venue of
action.

It can be observed that the Philippine Government has been utilizing an

informal agreement alternative to bilateral arrangements in the form of Memoranda
of Understanding (MOU) as evident by the number of MOUs cited in Table 1. MOUs
are not legally binding on countries. While this is so, the effectiveness of these
bilateral mechanisms depends not so much on how legally binding they are as on
how well they are implemented and enforced by the contracting countries29.

New Policy: As an innovation to this system, the Philippines, aside from BLAs
could also negotiate other form of Bilateral Agreement (BAs) such as Bilateral Social
Security Agreements (SSAs) 30 which will ensure that Filipino migrants and their
families are accorded social security and equal entitlements to benefits granted to
national of the host country and vice versa.; or Anti-Trafficking Agreements (ATAs).
Malaysia for example, has formulated their version of Trafficking in Persons Act in
2007. Given that Malaysia is one of the destination countries of trafficked persons,
the Philippine Government may negotiate a bilateral agreement as regards the
enforcement/application of both laws, specifically on prosecution of perpetrators in
trafficking cases and safeguarding the rights and security of the victims-survivors of
trafficking.

Also, in accordance with the context of State’s liability arising from breach of
duty to protect, it is high time that international conventions be converted to binding
regional or bilateral treaties. The Philippine Government has to move away from

29
Asian Labor Migration:The Role of Bilateral Labor and Similar Agreements. Stella P. Go. De La Salle University

30
Ibid.

19
negotiating general agreements towards more focused and implementable instruments.
One example is the negotiation of JPEPA (Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership
Agreement). While it is a bilateral agreement, it is more of an economic agreement, not
primarily labor agreement, whilst it include migration component setting conditions for
the entry of Filipino nurses and caregivers to Japan. There is now a mixed up of
priorities and interests, while economically, the Philippines might push its interest in
the agreement but it somehow put the welfare and interest of the Filipino nurse and
caregivers at stake. They (nurses) are being discriminated with regard to education,
experience and wage requirement. Chapter 9 of the JPEPA provides terms of reference
that are lopsided and not to the interest of the Filipino people and migrant workers
(Table 2).
Lastly, to better protect the rights and welfare of the migrant workers and the
members of their families, it is worth considering entering into Bilateral or Regional
Agreements with other Labor-sending Countries like Indonesia, Sri-Lanka or Nepal.
The more state parties advocating for the rights of workers, the more chances to be
heard.

Competence of the front-liners (government officials onsite).There is an

imperative need to increase the number and possession of knowledge and skills
of the government personnel onsite.

Improvement on Law/Policy: At present, there is a “mismatch” or “ratio-

distortion” between the Government personnel (onsite) on one hand, and the
number of and needs of OFWs upon the other hand. The Philippine Government
should invest on key officers’ competence to provide assistance to the OFWs in
distress or those facing charges at the receiving country. A significant number of
lawyers (or the Assistance to National Officers) should study the laws of the
receiving country and respectively take the required examination to allow them to

20
represent OFW clients or prosecute cases before the judicial and quasi-judicial
bodies of the receiving countries.

21
REFERENCES

Laws

Republic Act 8042. Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

Republic Act 10022. An Act Amending Republic Act No. 8042, Otherwise Known as the Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995,as amended, Further Improving the Standard of
Protection and Promotion of the Welfare of Migrant Workers, Their Families and Overseas
Filipinos in Distress, and For Other Purposes.

Republic Act 9208. Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Public Documents, Policy Papers and Researches

Philippine Migrants Rights Groups' Written Replies to the List of Issues Relating to the Consideration of
the Initial Report of the Philippines. Submitted to the UN Migrant Workers Committee for its
10th Session in Geneva. March 2009, Philippines.

POEA Audit Report and Supporting Documents (Year 2009).

POEA OFW Statistics (Year 2009).

Written Replies by the Government of the Philippines Concerning the List of Issues received by the
Committee on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and members of their families
relating to the consideration of the Initial Report of the Philippines. United Nations. Tenth
Session, 20 April - 1 May 2009

Asis, Maruja Asis., The Philippines’ Culture of Migration.

Benjamin, Golda S.,A Summary of Arguments against the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership
Agreement (JPEPA). Magkaisa JUNK JPEPA Coalition, October 23, 2007.

22
Go, Stella P. , Asian Labor Migration: The Role of Bilateral Labor and Similar Agreements

Guanzon, Rowena V.and Calalang Charmaine M., The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003:
Issues and Problems

Nuqui, Carmelita G. , Migration and Development: Opportunities and Obstacles (2005).

Ofreneo, Rene E. and Samonte, Isabelo A., Empowering Filipino Migrant Workers: Policy Issues and
Challenges. International Migration Paper 64. Social Protection Sector. International
Migration Programme. International Labor Office, Geneva (2005).

Reyes, Milan and Ma. Teresa C. Sanchez, Employment Productivity and Wages in the Philippine
Labor Market: An Analysis of Trends and Policies. Philippine Institute for Labor Studies,
1989. Accessed through: http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ris/wp/pidswp8903.pdf, accessed
on November 25, 2010.

Villalba, Mary Angela., Philippines: Good practices for the protection of Filipino Women Migrant
workers in vulnerable jobs. GENPROM Working Paper No. 8 Series on Women and
Migration.

23
 Table 1. Bilateral Labor Agreements and International Instruments signed and ratified by
the Philippine Government

COUNTRY TITLE / SUBJECT DATE

Memorandum of Understanding on Labor Cooperation Between
JORDAN the Government of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the May 27, 2010
Government of the Republic of the Philippines
Memorandum of Agreement Between the Republic of the April 24, 2007
BAHRAIN Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain on Health Services
Cooperation
CANADA
Memorandum of Agreement Between the Republic of the October 1,
Philippines (DOLE) and The Ministry of Employment and 2008
Alberta
Immigration of Alberta (E&I) Concerning Cooperation in Human
Resource Deployment and Development
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of January 29,
Labour and Employment of the Government of the Republic of the 2008
British
Philippines (DOLE) and The Ministry of Economic Development of
Colombia
the Government of British Columbia, Canada (ECDV) Concerning
Co-Operation in Human Resource Deployment and Development
Memorandum of Understanding Between The Department of February 8,
Labour and Employment of the Government of the Republic of the 2008
Manitoba Philippines (DOLE) and The Department of Labour and
Immigration of the Government of Manitoba, Canada(LIM)
Concerning: Co-Operation in Human Resource and Deployment
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Republic of the December 18,
Philippines (DOLE) and Her Majesty The Queen in the Right of the 2006
Province of Saskatchewan as represented by the Minister
Saskatchewan
Responsible for Immigration and the Minister of Advanced
Education and Employment (AEE) Concerning Cooperation in the
Fields of Labour, Employment and Human Resource Development
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Republic of the September 14,
CNMI Philippines (DOLE) and The Commonwealth of the Northern 1994
Mariana Islands (CNMI)
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Republic of the December 18,
Philippines (DOLE) and The Commonwealth of the Northern 2000
Mariana Islands (CNMI)
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Republic of the January 18,
Philippines (DOLE ) and the Department of Manpower and 2003
INDONESIA
Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia Concerning Migrant
Workers
Memorandum of Agreement Relating to Mobilization of Manpower November 25,
IRAQ
Between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Iraq 1982
JAPAN Memorandum of Understanding Between the Philippine Overseas January 12,
24
 Employment Administration and the Japan International 2009
Cooperation of Welfare Services on the Deployment and
Acceptance of Filipino Candidates (JPEPA)
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Minister of Labor of December 5,
JORDAN the Republic of the Philippines and the Minister of Labor of the 1981
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Agreement on Manpower Between the Government of the Republic December 3,
of the Philippines and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom 1988
of Jordan
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Labor April 23, 2004
KOREA of the Philippines and the Ministry of Labor of the Republic of
Korea on the Sending of Workers to the Republic of Korea
Memorandum of Agreement Between the Republic of the December 15,
KOREA
Philippines and the Republic of Korea 2005
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Labor October 20,
and Employment of the Philippines and the Ministry of Labor of the 2006
KOREA
Republic of Korea on the Sending and Receiving of Workers to the
Republic of Korea under the Employment Permit System
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Labor, May 30, 2009
Republic of Korea and the Department of Labor and Employment,
Republic of the Philippines on Cooperation in the Field of Labor
and Manpower Development
Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Labor May 30, 2009
and Employment, Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of
Labor, Republic of Korea on the Sending and Receiving of Workers
under the Employment Permit System of Korea
Memorandum of Understanding on Labor and Manpower September 14,
KUWAIT Development Between the Government of the Republic of the 1997
Philippines and the Government of the State of Kuwait
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of September 14,
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry 1997
of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait on the Establishment of
Bilateral Consultations
Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation on July 27, 2005
Labor and Employment Between the Government of the Republic of
LAO PDR
the Philippines and the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic
Agenda for Cooperation in the Field of Labor, Employment and October 18,
LIBYA
Manpower Development Between the Philippines and Libya 1979
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Philippines and July 17, 2006
Libya (with Arabic Version)
Memorandum of Agreement on Labour Cooperation Between the November 4,
NEW
Government of the republic of the Philippines and the Government 2008
ZEALAND
of New Zealand
NORWAY Agreement Between POEA and the Directorate of Labour Norway June 26, 2001

25
 on Transnational Co-Operation for Recruiting Professionals from
the Health Sector to Positions in Norway
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Philippines and March 14, 1979
PNG
Papua New Guinea
Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the May 10, 1997
QATAR Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar Concerning
Filipino Manpower Employment in the State of Qatar
Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the Government of October 18,
the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of 2008
Qatar Concerning Filipino Manpower Employment in the State of
Qatar signed on 10 March 1997
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the June 29, 2006
Management of the Migration Flows Between the Ministry of
SPAIN Labor and Social Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain and the Ministry
of Labor and Employment of the Republic of the Philippines
(English Version)
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the
Management of the Migration Flows Between the Ministry of
Labor and Social Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain and the Ministry
of Labor and Employment of the Republic of the Philippines
(Spanish Version)
Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the July 2, 2002
SWITZERLA
Philippines and the Swiss Federal Council on Exchange of
ND
Professional and Technical Trainees
Memorandum of Understanding between the Manila Economic and September 3,
Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and 1999
TAIWAN
Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines regarding the Special
Hiring Workers
Memorandum of Understanding on Special Hiring Program for January 12,
Taiwan Between the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei 2001
(MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the
Philippines
Memorandum of Understanding on Special Hiring Program for March 20, 2003
Taiwan Between the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO)
in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in
the Philippines
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the April 9, 2007
UAE Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United Arab
Emirates in the Field of Manpower
MoU between RP and UAE in the Field of Manpower (Arabic)
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the July 30, 2003
UNITED
Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Great Britain
KINGDOM
and Northern Ireland on Healthcare Cooperation
Recruitment Agreement Between the Government of the Republic January 8, 2002
of the Philippines and the Government of the United Kingdom of

26
 Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the December 28,
Philippines and the Government of the United States of America 1968
UNITED
Relating to the Recruitment and Employment of Philippines
STATES OF
Citizens by US Military Forces and Contractors of Military and
AMERICA
Civilian Agencies of the US Government in Certain Areas of the
Pacific and the Southeast Asia
Source: http://www.poea.gov.ph. Accessed on November 22, 2010.

Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) concerning Filipino Overseas Sea-based workers entered by
and between the Government of the Philippines
Country
Cyprus –7 September 1984
Liberia – 10 August 1985
Denmark – 2000
Netherlands – 31 May 2001
Singapore – 25 August 2001
Source: WRITTEN REPLIES BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES CONCERNING THE
LIST OF ISSUES (CMW/C/phl/Q/1) RECEIVED BY THE COMMITTEEON THE PROTECTION OF
THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES RELATING TO
THE CONSIDERATION OF THE INITIAL REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINES (CMW/C/phl/1)
[ In accordance with the information transmitted to States parties regarding the processing of their
reports, the present document was not formally edited before being sent to the United Nations
translation services]

27
Table 2. Chapter 9 of JPEPA

Arguments JPEPA

I. Filipino nurses will be sent to Japan as Article 108, paragraph 2

temporary workers; they will serve as
trainees under the supervision of a
registered Japanese nurse (Kangoshi). This Chapter shall not apply to measures regarding
nationality or citizenship, or residence or
employment on a permanent basis.

II. Contrary to the Executive Branch’s Page 17 of the JPEPA Joint Coordinating Team
claim of national treatment, Filipino nurses Report (2003)31 provides:
will not be treated as if they were regular
Japanese nurses; they will only be
accepted as trainees in Japan. c. The Japanese side responded
that capability of
communication in Japanese
Contrary to the Executive Branch’s claim, language as well as medical
Filipino nurses, upon entry and prior to knowledge and skills is
passing Japan’s Nursing Board Exam, will essential for health care
not be given the same salary as Japanese professionals in Japan, and
nurses. therefore obtaining national
qualification of Japan is a
minimum requirement for not
only Japanese but also
foreigners to work in Japan as
health care professionals. The
Japanese side also stressed that
the influence on domestic labor
market should be duly
considered regarding health
care professionals.

III. Contrary to the Executive Branch’s Annex 8, Section 6, paragraph 1 of the JPEPA
claim, Filipino nurses will not only be clearly belies the claim of the Executive Branch
pursuing language training in the first 6 that Filipino nurses will only be spending the
months after entry to Japan; they will be first six months of their employment contract

28
pursuing both language training and nurse for the purpose of learning Nihonggo. On the
training for $400 a month. contrary, the provision is very clear:

1. Entry and temporary stay for a

period set out in Appendix 1 shall
be granted to a natural person of
the Philippines set out in
Appendix 2, who is designated and
notified to the Government of
Japan by the Government of the
Philippines in accordance with the
Implementing Agreement, who
enters into Japan on the dates
specified by the Government of
Japan and who engages in one of
the following activities during its
temporary stay in Japan:

(a) for the purposes of obtaining a

qualification as a nurse under
Japanese law (hereinafter referred
to in this Section as “Kangoshi”);

(i) pursuing the course of training

including Japanese language
training, referred to in the
Implementing Agreement, for six
(6) months; and (emphasis
supplied)

(ii) after completion of the said

training, acquiring
necessary knowledge and
skills at the hospital
mentioned below through
the training under the
supervision of “Kangoshi”,

29
IV. The JPEPA grants Filipino nurses Appendix 1, paragraph 3 (in part) of the
only a one-year contract; the 2-year JPEPA clearly states:
extension period is discretionary on the
part of Japan. The Executive Branch’s
claim of a 3-year contract is baseless. For the purposes of entry and
temporary stay as set out in
paragraph 1 of Section 6, Japan
shall grant a stay of one (1)
year, which may be extended:

(a) in the case of subparagraph

(a), not exceeding twice for
each and equal period of time;

V. A provision in the JPEPA provides the Annex 8, Section 6, paragraph 1 of the JPEPA,
perfect set-up for the failure of Filipino provides in part:
nurses and for them to work as trainees for
an entire year.
1. Entry and temporary stay for a
period set out in Appendix 1 shall
The dates of entry for Filipino nurses will be be granted to a natural person of
decided by Japan. the Philippines set out in
Appendix 2, who is designated and
notified to the Government of
Japan by the Government of the
Philippines in accordance with the
Implementing Agreement, who
enters into Japan on the dates
specified by the Government of
Japan and who engages in one of
the following activities during its
temporary stay in Japan:
(emphasis supplied).

VI. The JPEPA gives Filipino nurses a Annex 8, Section 6, par. 1, Note 3 clearly

30
maximum of three opportunities to pass the provides:
National Licensure Exam. They must pass
the exam during their one-year contract or
during the next 2 years after entry if Japan With reference to subparagraph
decides to extend their initial one-year 1(a) above, the natural person has,
contract. If they fail on their third take, they upon application and in accordance
will be required to go back to the with the laws and regulations of
Philippines. Japan, a maximum of three (3)
opportunities to take the national
examination for “Kangoshi”,
under normal circumstances,
during the maximum period of its
stay set out in Appendix 1.

VII. The Philippine negotiators failed to get

the best deal for the Filipino nurses.
Indonesia got a better deal for their nurses.

VIII. Contrary to the Executive Branch’s

claim, it is not the first time that Japan will
open up its market for foreign workers,
other than nurses and caregivers.

Source: Benjamin, Golda S.,A Summary of Arguments against the Japan-Philippines Economic
Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Magkaisa JUNK JPEPA Coalition, October 23, 2007.

31
Annex A. Summary of Philippine Laws on Overseas Employment
Number Full Title Salient Features/ Remarks
Presidential The 1974 Labor Code of This PD institutionalized the participation of the
Decree (PD) No. the Philippines government in overseas employment. It created the
422 Overseas Employment Development Board
(OSDB) and the National Seamen Board (NSB).The
Year Signed: two (2) Boards were mandated to undertake a
1974 systematic program for overseas employment -
focusing on market development, recruitment and
placement of Filipino workers.
Letter of The Welfare Fund for The Welfare Fund was established to provide
Instruction No. Overseas Workers social and welfare services to Filipino overseas
537 (Welfare Fund). workers, to provide skills and career development
(1977) services to Filipino overseas workers, to undertake
studies and researches for enhancement of their
social, economic and cultural well-being, and to
develop, support and finance specific projects for
the benefit of Filipino overseas workers.
PD 1412 Further amending certain Renewed the participation of the private sector in
(1978) provisions of Book I, the recruitment activities.
Presidential Decree
No.442 otherwise known
as the Labor Code of the
Philippines.
Executive Order Executive Order Creating The POEA took over the functions of the OESDB
NO. 797 the Philippine Overseas and NSB. It was also given jurisdiction to take
(1982) Employment cognizance and resolve cases involving overseas
Administration (POEA) contract workers.
EO 857 Governing the Remittance EO 857B made mandatory the requirement for
(1982) to the Philippines of overseas workers to remit part of their earnings to
Foreign Exchange their families in the Philippines and to ensure that
Earnings of Filipino these remittances passed through the official
Workers abroad and for financial institutions.
other purposes.
1987 Philippine The 1987 Constitution of Philippine labor policy was clearly defined in the
Constitution the Philippines 1987 Constitution. Article XIII states that “The
(replacing 1973 State shall afford full protection to labor, local and
Constitution) overseas, organized and unorganized, and
promote full employment and equality of
employment opportunities for all.”
Republic Act Overseas Investment This law created the Overseas Workers’
7111 Fund Act Investment Fund Board to encourage remittance of
(1991) earnings of Overseas Filipino Workers and to
safeguard /oversee the participation of said
workers’ remittances and savings in the

32
 Government’s debt reduction efforts and other
productive undertakings. Incentives such as
scholarship grants, housing program, credit
assistance and other programs were also provided.
Republic Act The Migrant Workers’ Act The act was considered the first concrete measure
8042 of 1995 and public commitment of the Philippine
(1995) Government to protect the rights and promote the
welfare of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Republic Act Overseas Absentee Voting This law paved the way for overseas Filipinos to
9189 Act of 2003 participate in Philippine national elections. Thus,
(2003) in May 2004 some overseas Filipinos exercised
their right of suffrage.

Republic Act Anti-Trafficking in This law was regarded as one of the most
9208 Persons Act of 2003 comprehensive and progressive anti-trafficking
(2003) laws passed. This act adopted the UN definition of
trafficking in person.
Strengthening the It amended Section 23 (par.b.1) of RA 8042. Under
RA 9422 Regulatory Functions of the amendatory law, the POEA shall regulate
the POEA (amending RA private sector participation in the recruitment and
8042) overseas placement of workers by setting up a
licensing and registration system. It shall also
formulate and implement, in coordination with
appropriate entities concerned, when necessary, a
system for promoting and monitoring the overseas
employment of Filipino workers taking into
consideration their welfare and the domestic
manpower requirements.

It also repealed Section 29, 30 of the same law (RA

8042)
RA 9225 (2003) Citizenship Retention and By virtue of this law, natural-born Filipinos who
Re-acquisition Act of 2003 became naturalized citizens of other countries are
(Dual Citizenship Law) deemed not to have lost their Philippine
citizenship. They can re-acquire their Filipino
citizenship, while at the same time not losing their
other citizenship. To date, more than 6,000 former
Filipinos have reacquired their citizenship after the
implementation of the law.
RA 10022 An Act Amending This law has introduced the following significant
Republic Act No. 8042, reforms:
Otherwise Known as the (1) mandating the government to monitor
Migrant Workers and international conventions and ratify those that
Overseas Filipinos Act of ensure protection of Filipino workers abroad as
1995. As Amended, well as forge bilateral agreements with receiving
Further Improving the countries.
33
Standard of Protection (2) members of the governing board of the POEA
and Promotion of the are now made accountable in the deployment of
Welfare of Migrant migrant workers.
Workers, their Families (3) state officials who facilitate the deployment of
and Overseas Filipinos in OFWs to countries that do not guarantee or follow
Distress, and for Other international labor standards face dismissal from
Purposes. public service or disqualification from government
appointments for five years

34
Annex B. List of Ratifications of International Labour Conventions: Philippines
Member since 1948 34 Conventions ratified (32 in force)
C. 17 Workmen's Compensation (Accidents) Convention, 1925 17.11.1960
(No. 17)
C. 19 Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation) 26.04.1994
Convention, 1925 (No. 19)
C. 23 Repatriation of Seamen Convention, 1926 (No. 23) 17.11.1960
C. 29 Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) 15.07.2005
C. 53 Officers' Competency Certificates Convention, 1936 17.11.1960
(No. 53)
C. 77 Medical Examination of Young Persons (Industry) 17.11.1960
Convention, 1946 (No. 77)
C. 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to 29.12.1953
Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)
C. 88 Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) 29.12.1953
C. 89 Night Work (Women) Convention (Revised), 1948 (No. 89) 29.12.1953
C. 90 Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention 29.12.1953
(Revised), 1948 (No. 90)
C. 93 Wages, Hours of Work and Manning (Sea) Convention 29.12.1953
(Revised), 1949 (No. 93)
Convention not in force
C. 94 Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 29.12.1953
(No. 94)
C. 95 Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) 29.12.1953
C. 97 Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 21.04.2009
(No. 97)
Has excluded the provisions of Annex II and III
C. 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 29.12.1953
1949 (No. 98)
C. 99 Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery (Agriculture) 29.12.1953
Convention, 1951 (No. 99)
C. 100 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) 29.12.1953
C. 105 Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) 17.11.1960
C. 110 Plantations Convention, 1958 (No. 110) 10.10.1968
C. 111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 17.11.1960
1958 (No. 111)
C. 118 Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 26.04.1994
(No. 118)
Has accepted Branches (a) to (g)
C. 122 Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) 13.01.1976
35
 C. 138 Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) 4.06.1998
Minimum age specified: 15 years
C. 141 Rural Workers' Organisations Convention, 1975 (No. 141) 18.06.1979
C. 143 Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 14.09.2006
1975 (No. 143)
C. 144 Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) 10.06.1991
Convention, 1976 (No. 144)
C. 149 Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) 18.06.1979
C. 157 Maintenance of Social Security Rights Convention, 1982 26.04.1994
(No. 157)
C. 159 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled 23.08.1991
Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159)
C. 165 Social Security (Seafarers) Convention (Revised), 1987 9.11.2004
(No. 165)
Has accepted the obligations of Article 9 of the Convention in
respect of the branches mentioned in Article 3 (a), (b), (d), (e), (h)
and (i).
C. 176 Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176) 27.02.1998
C. 179 Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers Convention, 1996 13.03.1998
(No. 179)
C. 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) 28.11.2000
Denunciation (as a result of the ratification of Convention No. 138)
C. 59 Minimum Age (Industry) Convention (Revised), 1937 17.11.1960
(No. 59)
Denounced on 4.06.1998
Source: http://webfusion.ilo.org/public/db/standards/normes/appl/appl-byCtry.accessed on
November 23, 2010.

United Nations Conventions ratified by the Philippines

International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (1966)

International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)
International Convention against Racial Discrimination (1965)
International Convention against the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women (1979)
International Convention on the Rights of Children (1989)
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of their Families (1990)

36