FOR the first time, the Philippines will be allowed to speak in the powerful governing body of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The Department of Labor and Employment said in a statement that the country earned speaking rights in the ILO's executive branch starting next week.
"The voice of our country shall be heard in ILO's executive branch, where small nations are not allowed to speak out," Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.
He said the Philippine government will not stop there as it will also work on the stronger participation of other small nations in the decision-making of the ILO.
Bello added it is no longer acceptable that the group's policy-making is being "monopolized by wealthy countries."
"This has to stop if we are really after the welfare of all workers around the globe," said Bello.
Bello is presently in Geneva, Switzerland, where he presided over the meeting of the ILO government group.
The Philippines is currently sitting as the chairman of the ILO government group. (HDT/VoxPop Philippines)