Philippines bans imports linked to forced labor

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Finance have signed a Joint Administrative Order establishing rules for investigating and prohibiting imports produced wholly or partly through forced labor.

The order seeks to protect workers, consumers, and legitimate businesses from exploitative trade practices while preventing imported goods made under abusive labor conditions from gaining an unfair price advantage in the Philippine market.

The policy also strengthens the country’s supply-chain safeguards as global buyers, investors, and consumers increasingly demand ethical sourcing, transparent production, and compliance with internationally recognized labor standards.

The Joint Administrative Order creates an Inter-Agency Committee chaired by the DTI, with the DOLE serving as vice chair.

The DOF, Bureau of Customs, Board of Investments, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority will serve as committee members.

The committee will receive, evaluate, and investigate complaints and information involving imported goods suspected of having been produced through forced labor.

It will recommend appropriate action to the relevant government authorities based on its findings.

The measure is intended to ensure that Philippine trade supports responsible business conduct and does not reward companies that reduce production costs through labor exploitation.

It also aims to strengthen confidence in the integrity of Philippine supply chains and promote fair competition among businesses that comply with acceptable labor standards.

Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the order would help position the Philippines as a trusted trading partner and investment destination.

“As businesses and consumers place greater value on ethical sourcing and transparent supply chains, the Philippines must ensure that our market supports responsible business conduct. By prohibiting the entry of goods produced through forced labor, we reinforce confidence in our supply chains, promote fair competition, and signal to investors and trading partners that the Philippines is committed to sustainable and values-driven growth,” Roque said.

She said the policy aligns the country’s trade rules with evolving global expectations for responsible and resilient supply chains.

Roque added that the measure could help create a business environment where legitimate enterprises can compete and grow.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino said the order supports the government’s commitment to protecting workers and promoting decent work.

“No worker should suffer exploitation for goods to become cheaper or more competitive. This JAO helps ensure that Filipino workers and enterprises are not disadvantaged by imported products produced through forced labor. It demonstrates how trade policy can support labor protection, uphold human dignity, and create a level playing field for businesses that comply with fair labor standards,” Tolentino said.

He said economic progress should be accompanied by respect for workers’ rights and fundamental labor standards.

The policy is also intended to prevent local enterprises that observe fair labor practices from being undercut by imported products made under exploitative conditions.

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said effective enforcement would be essential to the order’s credibility and success.

“A strong policy must be matched by effective implementation. Through the Bureau of Customs and close coordination with partner agencies, we will ensure that credible findings of forced labor are translated into appropriate enforcement action. This JAO strengthens our ability to safeguard the Philippine market from goods that do not meet the standards we uphold as a nation,” Go said.

Under the order, the Bureau of Customs will act on the findings and recommendations of the Inter-Agency Committee.

The customs bureau will implement measures to prohibit the importation of goods determined to have been produced wholly or partly through forced labor.

The Joint Administrative Order establishes a coordinated system for investigations, information-sharing, and enforcement among trade, labor, finance, customs, investment, and economic zone authorities.

The measure also aligns the Philippines’ trade enforcement framework with its obligations under international labor conventions.

Government officials said the order would protect consumers, workers, importers, exporters, and legitimate businesses from the adverse effects of unfair and exploitative trade practices.

The policy reflects the government’s broader effort to build an economy based on responsible business conduct, ethical sourcing, and respect for human dignity.

By strengthening safeguards against goods produced through forced labor, the government aims to reinforce trust in the Philippine market and support competition based on lawful and fair production.

The order also places the Philippines within wider international efforts to remove labor exploitation from global supply chains.

As the country seeks to expand trade and attract investment, the government said economic growth must remain sustainable, principled, and anchored on supply chains that respect workers’ rights and promote shared prosperity.