PH Named One of the 10 Worst Countries to Work In for 2025
Published on Jun 11, 2025
Why? Because the people fighting for better conditions like fair wages and job security are, as per the ITUC index, being silenced. The report describes the situation in the Philippines as a “venomous environment of endemic harassment, violence, and death," adding that among the country's most serious violations are the red-tagging of union activists, police persecution, and state crackdown on workers.
This marks the ninth consecutive year the Philippines has been given a rating of 5 in the list, which signals “no guarantee of rights” for workers. We share this ranking with nine other countries known for harsh labor conditions, including Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Eswatini, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tunisia, Türkiye, and Ecuador.
The Global Rights Index evaluates labor conditions in 151 countries using 97 indicators based on International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.
A low rating for the Philippines
Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma told GMA News Online, however, that the rating "does not take into consideration sincere
efforts of the present administration to resolve long pending
issues."
"If indeed the Philippines is
a worst country for workers, how come we got elected for the first time as a
member of the Committee on Freedom of Association last year? This year, the
Philippines is not on the list of countries that will be examined by the
Committee on Application of Standards," Laguesma said.
The ITUC also raised concerns over the growing use of so-called foreign influence laws to restrict basic freedoms such as the right to protest. This trend has already taken root in countries like Algeria, Belarus, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, and Uganda—with more governments showing signs of following suit.
Overall, the ITUC found that violations of workers’ rights continued to worsen globally in 2025. The most commonly violated right was the right to strike, breached in 87% of countries, followed by the right to collective bargaining (80%), the right to form or join a union (75%), and access to justice for workers (72%).
Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself in a pole studio or napping with her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.