Manila: Government agencies in the Philippines have taken a significant step towards eradicating forced labor by signing a joint administrative order (JAO) that sets forth regulations to investigate and ban the importation of goods produced wholly or in part through forced labor.
According to Philippines News Agency, the JAO was officially signed by key government officials including Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, and Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino at the Department of Finance (DOF) office in Manila. This order establishes an Inter-Agency Committee, led by the DTI, with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as Vice-Chair. The Bureau of Customs (BOC), Board of Investments (BOI), and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) are also members of the Committee.
The Committee's primary responsibility is to receive, evaluate, and investigate complaints regarding imported goods suspected of being produced through forced labor and to recommend appropriate actions to relevant authorities. The Bureau of Customs, on the recommendations of the Committee, will take action to prevent the entry of such goods into the country.
"This Joint Administrative Order provides a mechanism for addressing concerns involving imported goods suspected of having been produced wholly or in part through forced labor. It strengthens interagency coordination in receiving and evaluating information, conducting investigations, and recommending appropriate actions in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. This is about protecting people and supporting fair competition," said Roque.
The JAO is in line with the Philippines' commitment to international labor conventions, providing a coordinated framework for the investigation, information-sharing, and enforcement against goods suspected of being produced through forced labor. It aims to protect consumers, workers, importers, and businesses from the negative impacts of exploitative trade practices.
Tolentino highlighted the Philippines' compliance with international laws, particularly International Labor Organization Conventions 29 and 105, which set the standards for forced labor conventions. "This would signify the Philippines' compliance, not just with a rules-based trade order, but compliance with international law," he stated.
Finance Secretary Go emphasized the importance of ethical sourcing and transparency. "Goods produced through forced labor have no place in our market. They undermine our domestic workforce, penalize law-abiding businesses, and allow unfair competition," he said.
The Philippines plans to enhance cooperation with other countries to monitor products produced using forced labor, a move supported by DTI Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo. He noted the significance of international collaboration and traceability systems in preventing forced labor goods from entering the market.
Rodolfo also addressed ongoing discussions with the United States Trade Representative concerning tariffs on forced-labor imports, expressing optimism that the new regulations will demonstrate the Philippines' commitment to eliminating forced labor importations.
