QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently conducted a two-day workshop aimed at improving negotiation skills related to labor issues in trade agreements.
The workshop, titled “Enhancing Trade Negotiation Skills: Integrating Labor in Trade Negotiations,” took place at the DOLE Central Office in Manila.

Thirty-five participants from various agencies, including the Bureau of Labor Relations, the Bureau of Local Employment, and the International Labor Affairs Task Force, attended the event both in-person and online.
The workshop focused on ensuring that labor standards and workers’ rights are prioritized in the Philippines’ global trade agreements, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement (PH-EU FTA).
In his opening remarks, DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. stressed the necessity of integrating labor standards into trade agreements to safeguard workers’ rights.
The first day of the workshop covered the foundational concepts linking trade and labor, while the second day emphasized practical application through interactive sessions and group discussions.
Jan Redmond L. Dela Vega from DTI’s Bureau of International Trade Relations provided insights into trade negotiations, covering key provisions such as market access and labor mobility.
Participants also learned about negotiation techniques, including strategic approaches and effective communication.
Professional Regulation Assistant Commissioner Lord Louis P. Valera and DTI-BITR’s Atty. Marian Michelle Q. Arcinas discussed the incorporation of professional services and labor mobility into trade policies, updating attendees on the status of key negotiations.
Valkyrie Hanson, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Coordinator for Decent Work in Supply Chains, joined virtually to share insights on core labor standards, including collective bargaining and anti-discrimination measures.
The workshop concluded with a synthesis of key insights and actionable next steps presented by Atty. Abigail R. Dela Rosa, head of DOLE’s International Labor Affairs Task Force.
She highlighted the importance of balancing the interests of labor and capital in trade negotiations to foster economic development.
“The challenge for us, my colleagues, is to ensure that when we negotiate, we bring at the negotiation table the utmost benefits for both labor and capital,” Dela Rosa said. (AVS/PIA-NCR)