The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The government has strengthened its campaign against unfair trade practices by issuing new rules that will allow authorities to investigate and block the entry of imported goods produced wholly or partly through forced labor.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Finance (DOF), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed last week a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) creating a formal mechanism for identifying, investigating, and prohibiting imports linked to forced labor.
Under the JAO, an Inter-Agency Committee chaired by the DTI will receive and investigate complaints involving suspected forced-labor imports. The committee will include the DOLE as vice chair, with the DOF, Bureau of Customs (BOC), Board of Investments (BOI), and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as members.
Based on the committee’s findings, the Bureau of Customs will be authorized to stop the importation of goods determined to have been produced wholly or in part through forced labor.
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the new framework strengthens coordination among government agencies in investigating suspected violations while protecting consumers, workers, and legitimate businesses from unfair competition.
“This Joint Administrative Order provides a mechanism for addressing concerns involving imported goods suspected of having been produced wholly or in part through forced labor. It strengthens interagency coordination in receiving and evaluating information, conducting investigations, and recommending appropriate actions in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. This is about protecting people and supporting fair competition,” Roque said.
The JAO also aligns the Philippines with its commitments under International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 29 and 105, which prohibit forced labor, as well as Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the measure demonstrates the country’s commitment to international labor standards and strengthens its ability to prevent products made through exploitative labor practices from entering the domestic market.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the government is taking decisive action to promote responsible business conduct and ensure a level playing field for compliant enterprises.
“Goods produced through forced labor have no place in our market. They undermine our domestic workforce, penalize law-abiding businesses, and allow unfair competition,” Go said.
Meanwhile, DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said the Philippines will work more closely with foreign governments to track products suspected of being produced through forced labor.
He said authorities will tap international databases, traceability systems, reporting mechanisms, and cross-border investigations to strengthen enforcement.
Rodolfo added that the new rules could also help address concerns raised by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding safeguards against forced labor, as the Philippines continues discussions with U.S. officials over proposed tariffs on imports linked to forced labor.
“We remain hopeful that once the tariff comes out, it will show that the Philippines has no importations with forced labor and that we have this regulation that will tighten implementation of the rules,” Rodolfo said.