PH exports to US, local goods do not use forced labor – DFA

MANILA – Philippine goods, including its exports to the United States, are not produced with the help of forced labor, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

The statement came after the US announced that it will impose tariffs on 60 economies, including 12.5 percent for the Philippines, for failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

"The Philippines has long demonstrated that its locally produced goods, including those exported to the US, do not rely on forced labor," DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said in a text message to reporters.

"The Philippines already has existing laws prohibiting forced labor and continues to strengthen its legal and institutional framework through the development of appropriate mechanisms to effectively investigate and address goods allegedly produced wholly or in part through forced labor," she added.

The official said the Philippine government will continue to engage with US counterparts on this matter.

Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila “will look to lowering it to at least 10 percent.”

The Philippines, he said, will negotiate with the US "on the basis that we will remove the child labor goods from our list of exports if it is proven to be so." (PNA)