THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is finalizing a labor code that seeks to promote better working conditions in the region, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).
In a statement, the ILO said that the Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Code (BLEC) is expected to foster decent work, social justice, and inclusive development in the region.
It was also designated as a priority legislative measure by BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua. The region is set to hold its first parliamentary elections in October.
“Finalizing and enacting the labor code will demonstrate the region’s commitment to decent work, participatory governance, and lasting peace,” the ILO said.
Officials of the region are currently aligning the draft labor code with constitutional and international labor standards, resolving remaining technical issues, and building consensus among legislators, labor experts, employers, and civil society.
It added that the proposed legal framework is expected to institutionalize an inclusive, rights-based approach to labor governance across the region to support its peacebuilding efforts.
The labor code also includes the rights for self-organization, collective bargaining, negotiations, and the right to strike, aligning with the Constitution and the Labor Code of the Philippines.
“The BLEC stands as an important milestone for BARMM. It is more than a legal instrument. It is a statement of commitment to decent work, social justice, and inclusive growth for all workers and employers in the region,” ILO Country Director Khalid Hassan said.
“Without a local labor code, the region cannot attract investments, build institutions, or achieve industrialization to create jobs. And without jobs, lasting peace will remain out of reach,” he added.
The ILO said that it had offered technical guidance and convened partners and stakeholders through a series of dialogues and consultations. — Adrian H. Halili