THE Philippine government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been harassing and intimidating union leaders by accusing them of links to communist insurgents, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.
The practice, known as “red-tagging,” has led to the withdrawal of labor activists from unions and caused some unions to sever ties with federations critical of the government.
HRW’s research in the Southern Tagalog Region, a key area for foreign companies operating in special economic zones, revealed that local authorities, along with police and military personnel, repeatedly visited the homes of union leaders and threatened them over alleged affiliations with the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Family members of those targeted were also pressured to discourage their relatives from supporting the insurgency, with fears heightened by the historical killings of red-tagged activists.
“The Philippine government’s dangerous and sometimes deadly practice of red-tagging is a serious threat to labor rights," said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at HRW.
“President Marcos should order officials to stop this practice and uphold the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively.”
HRW interviewed 14 union leaders and documented over a dozen recent cases of harassment and threats. The report also highlighted the growing pressure on labor unions since Marcos took office, with seven unions facing heightened threats during collective bargaining negotiations.
The practice of red-tagging has been used by successive Philippine governments against activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), a major labor federation, reported that at least 72 union leaders and members have been killed since 2016, and red-tagging has caused a decline in union membership across the country.
In 2018, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict was created by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, and it has been a driving force behind the red-tagging. The task force has also extended this practice to students, journalists, and Indigenous groups, among others.
In response to international criticism, including from a 2023 International Labour Organization mission, President Marcos issued Executive Order 23 aimed at resolving labor disputes.
However, HRW notes that red-tagging and violence against union leaders persist.
HRW called on global trade partners, particularly the European Union, to press the Philippines on its labor rights record during free trade negotiations.
The group also urged international companies to include red-tagging in their human rights due diligence, especially those operating in the Philippines as part of global supply chains.
“Companies sourcing from the Philippines should assess the risks of red-tagging in their human rights due diligence and push for an end to this harmful practice,” Lau said.
