THE Philippines and the United States Labor Working Group, under the Trade and Industry Framework Agreement, met with representatives from the government, labor and employer sectors to discuss areas of collaboration in advancing labor rights.

Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. said the Philippines welcomed the revival of the Labor Working Group as a venue for constructive dialogue with the US.

He also underscored the importance of conducting the technical level discussions, following the initial meeting held last year, to provide details on how to re-operationalize the working group.

Representing the US government were Jennifer Oetken, director for Labor Affairs of the US Trade Representative; Emily Fischer, director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the US Trade Representative; Brian Campbell, international relations officer of the US Department of Labor; and Mario Fernandez, regional labor officer of the US Embassy Manila.