(Photo: Senate of the Philippines)

The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) and its Philippine affiliate, the National Union of Building and Construction Workers (NUBCW), with the help of labour rights champion Senator Risa Hontiveros, pushed for labour compliance in ADB railway projects in the country. During the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) budget hearing, Hontiveros, with the help of trade unionists, raised concerns about recurring labour standards violations affecting workers in the ADB-funded Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP) and South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP).

The Senator cited ongoing complaints from workers and unions, including delayed wages, non-remittance of social protection contributions, excessive working hours, unsafe working conditions, and poor living arrangements, especially among subcontracted workers. She noted that despite several engagements with DOTr and contractors, many of these long-standing issues remain unresolved.

The DOTr was also asked for updates on the proposed Labour-Management Dialogue Mechanism (LMDM) involving BWI and NUBCW. The LMDM is a structured platform intended to bring together unions, general contractors, and DOTr to address compliance gaps. The proposal was developed through consultations with labour groups and has been the subject of ongoing discussions with DOTr officials and several joint venture contractors.

Hontiveros asked the Department to confirm whether it has endorsed the LMDM proposal, which contractors are participating, and when the pilot test is expected to begin. The DOTr confirmed that it had discussed the LMDM proposal with BWI in October 2025, and that similar discussions are ongoing with the contractors. It said that it is supportive of facilitating discussions between BWI, labour groups, and general contractors. The department also said that it welcomes feedback from unions and remains committed to ensuring that contractors observe proper labor practices.

When asked about internal timelines, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that his office is targeting to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with BWI and NUBCW within the first quarter of 2026 to initiate the mechanism.

The Senator closed her intervention by stressing the importance of ensuring decent work in the country’s flagship railway projects and called on DOTr to act with urgency in strengthening oversight and addressing compliance issues.

NUBCW and BWI are organising Workers’ Associations at several contract packages or sites of the mega railways project.