This week, our delegates are receiving organizing training put on by AWWCI and their partners. Our first day was full of valuable information and networking. We started off with welcome addresses from Jane and Meann Vargas of AWWCI. Delegate Diana Limon from IBEW Local 11 spoke on behalf of our organization about the importance of organizing.

Then we heard from Attny. Ernesto Arellano, the current president of the National Union of Building and Construction Workers, a Philippine affiliate of BWI and the first labor organization in the country that was registered under the category of an industry union. He gave us an overview of the labor force in his country. In the Philippines, about 10%-12% of the entire labor force is organized into unions. Construction makes up about 12% of the labor force. He went over the large unions in the Philippines and the collective bargaining laws that dictate organizing on a national level. 

Next Cathy Gayo spoke to us about effective leadership strategies. Cathy is the Education and Information Officer at Associated Labor Unions (ALU-TUCP). She also serves as a project coordinator at the Support Service Institute for Women. The delegates enjoyed the interactive workshop meant to develop team-building and leadership qualities.

We heard a presentation from Joseph Aquino, a community facilitator and President of SARANAY Community-based association. He also holds the position of Sectoral Council Member at the National Anti-Poverty Commission. He taught us about the importance of identifying common issues and concerns of workers, the need to document workforce stresses and hazards, and organizing with a focus on women. We also discussed minimum wage vs. living wage, something we also discuss regularly in North America. The minimum wage in the Manila metro area is about 610 pesos per day. Higher than other parts of the country, but still only about $10.40 USD at the time of writing.

The day ended with a presentation from Joel Odio from the Circle of Advocates for Workers. He taught us about the International Labor Organization and its role within the United Nations. We went over the tripartite structure, ILO objectives, principles and it’s core fundamental conventions. Delegates left the presentation with a much deeper understanding of their rights under international labor law.

This day of training is especially important for our North American delegates as they prepare to return to the United States with fresh perspectives and actionable insights. By learning from the experiences and strategies of labor organizers in the Philippines, our delegates are gaining a broader understanding of global labor challenges and innovative approaches to address them. The discussions on collective bargaining, leadership development, workforce hazards, and the role of international labor law equip them with tools to strengthen organizing efforts back home. These lessons will not only enhance their ability to advocate for workers’ rights but also foster solidarity across borders, reinforcing the universal struggle for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equitable treatment.