22 March 2012
Hon. Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President
Philippines
Fax: 632 7361346
Dear Mr. President,
Sub: Urgent Request to ratify the ILO convention 189 on Domestic Workers within 3 Months.
We thank the Philippine Government for having taken concrete steps in the ratification of C189 (Decent Work
for Domestic Workers) adopted last 16 June 2011 at the International Labor Conference. We welcome the
endorsements of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC)
to the Senate and to the Department of Foreign Affairs for the immediate ratification of C189.
Given the fact that millions of domestic workers abroad and within the country, including many Filipino
workers, this ILO Convention will substantially protect their rights and welfare once this is ratified and
implemented. However, for C189 to take effect, it must be ratified by at least two-member states of ILO within
12 months following the adoption of C189 which will end on June 2012. The Philippines can take the lead in the
ratification process and ensuring the future enforceability of the Convention.
We understand that the ratification process is pending review in the Department of Foreign Affaires prior to
endorsement of Office of the President. It is in this light we strongly urgent you Mr. President, to oversee the
speedy review and ensure the approval of the ratification of the C 189 within the governmentwithin the next 3
months.
Sincerely yours,
Alliance of Progressive Labour, Hong Kong (APL – HK)
Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU)
domestic workers with different nationalities)
Coalition for Migrants Rights (CMR)
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU)
Contacts: Address: 19/F, Wing Wong Comm. Bldg., 557-559 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2770 8668 Fax: +852 2770 7388 Email: fadwu.hk@gmail.com
(with local and migrant