The ratification by the Senate of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 81 was hailed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last week as “a crucial advancement in the nation’s labor law enforcement efforts.” Promulgated in 1947, Convention No. 81 has been ratified by 150 countries. In Asia, it has been adopted by Japan in 1953;  Malaysia in 1963; Singapore in 1965; Korea in 1992; Vietnam in 1994; and Indonesia in 2004.

Labor inspection has been institutionalized globally to emphasize the importance of enforcing laws pertaining to conditions of work and the protection of workers through a system of labor inspection. Conditions of work cover basic concerns such as work hours, wages, safety, health and welfare, and the employment of children and young persons.

Since its inception, Convention No. 81 has permitted the exemption from this undertaking of the mining and transport industries, owing to certain unique features.

This is a significant achievement of the DOLE, considering that, as of 2021, its Institute of Labor Studies identified vital gaps, including: insufficiency of child labor indicators; occupational safety and health indicators are not yet applicable in all industries; the need to determine the appropriate number of labor law compliance officers, as well as clarify its functions to ensure efficiency and resource adequacy; the need for stricter penalties for non-compliance; and the publication of annual assessment reports.

Evidently, these gaps have been hurdled, thus paving the way for the DOLE to seek and obtain Senate ratification, which shall be followed by approval by the President and submission by the Department of Foreign Affairs to the ILO. This would enable the Philippines to finally join the array of countries committed to the enforcement of appropriate standards to ensure consistent enforcement of humane conditions of work.

Labor and Employment Secretary Laguesma has pointed out that the ratification aligns with the goals outlined in the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028, which seeks to incorporate international labor standards into domestic practices and bolster the enforcement of labor laws. By refining labor inspection services and enhancing the capacity of labor inspectors, the convention significantly enhances compliance with labor laws and protects workers’ rights. This has long been advocated by the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC).

This development also complements the determined efforts of the government to generate higher employment through quality, well-paying jobs. The imperative to ensure a safe, healthy and conducive work environment applies to all employers, from micro, small and medium-scale start-ups to large industrial organizations employing hundreds of workers.

A workplace that honors the dignity of its workers, respects and protects their rights, compensates them fairly, and assists them in raising their quality of life will certainly evoke their long-term dedication and loyalty. Companies that protect and sustain the environment, and align themselves with the aspirations of their host communities are invariably rewarded with business success.

Indeed, the enforcement of humane work conditions that is enabled by systematic inspection processes is the hallmark of a just society and polity.