MANILA, Philippines, May 1 – As the nation commemorates Labor Day, Child Rights Coalition Asia is calling on policymakers and electoral candidates to integrate child rights into labor policies, ensuring a more just and equitable future for Filipino children, especially those of workers’ children.
The call to action follows the roundtable consultation, Pag-uugnay ng Usapin ng Bata sa mga Kilusan ng mga Manggagawa at sa mga Unyon, held last December 2024 by CRC Asia in partnership with trade unions and workers’ organizations. The consultation highlighted the urgent need to mainstream child rights in labor discussions, particularly in access to quality education, healthcare, and protection from economic hardships that impact the children of workers.
“Dahil sa dami ng pinaglalaban ng bawat kilusan, madalas hindi na natin nabibigyang tuon ang pagtutok sa mga karapatan ng bata. lalo na ang mga anak ng mga mahihirap at ng mga manggagawa,” said Amihan Abueva, CRC Asia’s Regional Executive Director.
Filipino children, especially those from working-class families, face significant challenges in accessing basic needs, including healthcare, education, and nutrition. Economic hardships lead to stunted growth, inadequate medical attention, and limited learning opportunities. Without stronger labor protections, many children are pushed into informal or hazardous work to supplement family incomes, depriving them of their right to education and a safe childhood.
“Mayroong kakulangan ang lipunan ngayon sa pagtrato sa mga kabataan sa iba’t ibang aspeto na dapat solusyunan – mga kakulangan sa programa at polisiya sa pag-aangat sa karanasan ng mga kabataan,” said one trade union worker.
Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicates that in 2022, approximately 1.48 million children aged 5 to 17 were working, an increase from 1.37 million in 2021. More than half (56%) of these working children were engaged in child labor, defined as hazardous work or work exceeding 40 hours per week.
With the upcoming Philippine elections, labor groups and child rights advocates are urging candidates to strengthen social protections for working parents, including living wages, parental leave and accessible childcare services. They are also calling for the implementation and enforcement of labor laws that protect children from economic exploitation, the expansion of free and quality education opportunities, including vocational and skills training programs for youth, and the institutionalization of child-friendly workplace policies that recognize the role of families in economic and social development.
During the consultation, it was noted that although laws protecting children exist, there remains a significant gap in their implementation, as well as in the support provided to parents for child care and child-rearing.There is really a call for greater enforcement of child protection policies and for more parenting support for workers’ families. The consultation reinforced the need for continuous dialogue and collaboration between trade unions, child-focused NGOs, and policymakers.
“Ang pagbabago sa pagsulong ng mga karapatang pambata ay hindi kakayanin ng mga CSOs lamang. Kailangan ng pang-malakihang reporma sa iba’t ibang sektor. That is why we need to continue pushing for dialogues where workers, their children, and children’s representatives can directly engage with policymakers in shaping labor and social welfare policies,” said Abueva.
As the nation celebrates the contributions of Filipino workers, CRC Asia reminds the public that a robust labor movement is essential for the protection and empowerment of the next generation. The future of the Filipino workforce depends on how we uphold the rights of children today.
