Philippines, US to form bilateral labor working group

WASHINGTON - The Philippines and the US will put up a bilateral Labor Working Group, the White House has said in a fact sheet.

It said this labor working group is under the Philippines-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

The White House said the working group would serve as an important platform "through which the United States and the Philippines can collaborate to accelerate the implementation of internationally recognized labor rights."

It will also facilitate exchange and dialogue among the two administrations and their labor unions, "ensuring that workers’ voices will shape the way ahead."

When it comes to democracy, the US looks forward to contributing to the Philippines-UN Joint Programme for Human Rights, which is a unique mechanism intended to strengthen Philippine accountability mechanisms.

"The United States and the Philippines are also focused on ensuring workers can organize freely and safely. The United States appreciates President Marcos’s participation in the second Summit for Democracy and looks forward to launching a U.S.-Philippines Democracy Dialogue this year," it said. —NB, GMA Integrated News