Govt wants stronger protection for Filipino migrant workers

THE government pushed for stronger protection and social security portability for Filipino migrant workers before the International Labor Organization's (ILO) governing body.

Labor Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr., head of the Philippine delegation to the recent 353rd Session of the ILO governing body, made the pitch during discussions on the ILO Agenda and Action on Fair Migration.

The conference, where the Philippines serves as a deputy member, was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the discussions, Bitonio said the Philippines is advocating for a whole-of-migration-cycle approach to ensure both labor market efficiency and strong worker protections, citing the Philippines' more than five decades of experience as a major labor-sending country.

"Primary focus was made on the portability of social security benefits, ensuring that migrant workers retain access to pensions, health care, and other entitlements regardless of their work location," he said.

The delegation urged the ILO to lead the development of a standardized, inclusive framework for social protection across borders.

It also supported the ILO's focus on skills anticipation and job matching, advocating for modernized training facilities, micro-credentialing, and skills certification systems to help migrant workers adapt to changing labor markets.

Additionally, the Philippines called for stronger governance of digital recruitment platforms to prevent exploitation and unethical hiring practices.

The ILO governing body is responsible for setting global labor policies, supervising the ILO's work, and shaping the agenda of the International Labor Conference.

Membership in the body allows the Philippines to directly contribute to policies on migrant workers' rights, fair recruitment and social protection.

The Geneva session covered critical issues, including labor migration, employment policies, and global strategies for decent work.

As a member of the Asia-Pacific Group, the Philippines collaborated with regional partners to advance collective solutions to migration challenges.

The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to continued dialogue and collaboration to strengthen fair and equitable labor migration policies.

With millions of Filipino workers contributing to economies worldwide, the Philippines remains steadfast in championing a migration system that protects, empowers and uplifts workers.