MAKATI CITY –The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) actively participated in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat’s Technical Visit in preparation for the Philippines’ 6th Trade Policy Review (TPR) scheduled in June 2026.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR), the inter-agency meetings aimed to support the drafting of the WTO Secretariat Report, an independent and comprehensive assessment of the Philippines’ institutional framework for trade and its prevailing trade and economic policies.

ILS representatives, Mr. Loren Art S. Cayabyab and Mr. John Rod M. Sadia, presented key labor market indicators drawn from the Labor Force Survey, highlighting employment trends, workforce participation, and labor market conditions. These insights are essential for understanding how trade policies impact workers and industries across the country.

Conducted every seven years, the TPR serves as a critical transparency mechanism under the WTO framework, fostering informed dialogue, peer review, and accountability among WTO Members.  The discussions held in Manila lay a strong foundation for a productive, and transparent culmination of the Philippines’ 6th Trade Policy Review in Geneva scheduled on 17 and 19 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Through its participation, the Institute underscored the importance of integrating labor perspectives into trade policy discussions. As the policy research and advocacy arm of DOLE, ILS contributes empirical evidence and policy analysis to ensure that trade arrangements align with decent work principles, workers’ rights, and inclusive growth objectives.

In 2024, the Institute conducted the study titled “Towards a Unified Labor Negotiation Framework: Identifying Elements of Sound Labor Provisions in Free Trade Agreements,” addressing the absence of clear guiding principles for incorporating labor provisions in trade agreements. The study proposes a unified framework to guide Philippine trade negotiators, outlining key considerations, parameters, and elements to safeguard workers’ rights while strengthening the country’s trade negotiating position.

The full working paper is available on the ILS website: https://ils.dole.gov.ph/downloads/file/798-towards-a-unified-labor-negotiation-framework-identifying-elements-of-sound-labor-provisions-in-free-trade-agreements

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