THE country’s largest labor coalition has called for immediate legislative action following the adoption of a landmark international treaty on platform work and new recommendations on labor rights issued during the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva.
The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa) cited the adoption of ILO Convention 193 on Decent Work in the Platform Economy and the recommendations issued by the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) regarding the Philippines’ compliance with Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining.
The group said both developments reinforce a fundamental principle: labor rights must keep pace with changing forms of work, whether workers are employed in factories, government offices, or digital platforms.
On June 12, delegates at the International Labour Conference adopted Convention 193, the first international treaty specifically focused on workers earning a living through digital labor platforms.
The convention establishes global standards for platform workers regardless of how they are classified under employment contracts. It requires governments to determine worker status based on theactual nature of work arrangements rather than contractual labels.
The treaty also introduces groundbreaking rules on algorithmic management, requiring transparency in automated decision-making, explanations for significant digital actions affecting workers, and human review of decisions that could impact livelihoods.
In addition, Convention 193 guarantees fair pay, social protection, occupational safety and health, protection against violence and harassment, safeguards for personal data and privacy, and protection against unfair account suspensions and deactivations.
Nagkaisa described the convention as a landmark agreement that brings labor standards into the digital era.
“In the past, the boss had an office and a nameplate. Today, the boss may exist inside an app and be hidden behind an algorithm. But no matter how fast technology advances, workers’ rights should not lag behind. Convention 193 reminds us that workers are human beings, not data; they possess dignity and are not disposable,” the coalition said.
The group noted that the Philippines can draw lessons from neighboring countries. It pointed to Singapore and Malaysia, which already enacted laws protecting gig economy workers while continuing to support innovation and economic growth.
“The Philippines should not remain stuck buffering while our neighbors have already downloaded fairer labor standards. The future of work is already here. Our laws must catch up,” Nagkaisa said.
The coalition urged the Philippine government and Congress to immediately study and pass legislation that would implement the provisions of Convention 193 at the national level.
The Coalition also welcomed the conclusions adopted by the CAS after reviewing the Philippines’ compliance with Convention 98.
The committee called on the government, in consultation with workers’ and employers’ organizations, to take time-bound measures to ensure full compliance with the convention, investigate allegations of union-busting and anti-union practices, strengthen collective bargaining rights in the public sector, and address concerns over third-party interference in labor negotiations.
It specifically urged the Marcos administration and Congress to enact legislation implementing ILO Convention 151 on Labor Relations in the Public Service.
While the Senate ratified the convention in 2017, Nagkaisa said that no comprehensive implementing law has been passed.
