Protecting Migrant Workers: An Analysis of Overseas Filipino Workers' Rights under the TPP

Abstract

The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a multinational Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiated among twelve Pacific rim countries: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. Member countries represent key markets for Philippine exports/imports, investments, and technology, and account for 40% of global trade. Of these, Singapore and Malaysia rank among the top 10 destinations for deployed overseas Filipino workers, accounting for 12% of total deployments in 2015. The considerable increase in migration (displacement) of workers that follow the implementation of FTAs has generated significant concern for the Philippines’ inclusion in the Trans Pacific Partnership.